Lewis defends $500k tennis funding boost

Jade Lewis’ father David has defended the rising tennis star’s funding from the Seed Foundation, saying there was no chance of the young Kiwi making it as a professional without the support.

As reported by Stuff last week, Jade has received financial support from the independent organization, which will cover her expenses for at least the next three years, which could total $500,000.

“Seed approached us and said they’d like to get behind Jade, they were impressed with how she did the last couple of years,” Lewis said.

The Seed Foundation, which was set up to give New Zealand tennis players a helping hand, has only ever significantly backed three players, Marina Erakovic and Sacha Jones, as well as Lewis.

Getting around $165,000 of expenses paid each year does put Jade on a pedestal, but David says that doesn’t put extra pressure on her and it’s only helped level the playing field with what other young players from bigger countries are getting.

“I’m sure some people have the perception that they’ve just written a cheque out for Jade, they haven’t, the Seed Foundation will cover costs and they’ll monitor how she’ll do.” Daniell, who received scant support when he was younger, last week wrote on Facebook that he hoped Jade could get to the top.

“They’re an independent organization where the selectors (James Greenhalgh, Shelley Bryce [nee Stephens] and William Ward) have selected Jade and they came to us, saying they were impressed with what she’s done,” David Lewis said.

Jade Lewis has spent the last six weeks playing lowly ITF tournaments in Europe.