Taylor Clarke might have two parents with strong squash backgrounds to call on but the 14-year-old has to perform by herself on the courts.
And she is doing that in style at the New Zealand D grade championships in Dunedin this week.
The Tauranga Girls' College year 10 pupil is the daughter of former professional player Becky Clarke and former New Zealand coach Dave Clarke.
The family moved to New Zealand from England in 2001, so there is no hint of an accent to Clarke but she has hopes of following in her mother's footsteps - provided she stays fit.
''I think it would be cool to play professionally, but I need to get off the couch for that,'' Clarke said.
''Me and Mum have decided that over the summer we're going to go for runs around the Mount [Maunganui] - I'm going to start training heaps now.''
Fitness or otherwise, Clarke - a left-hander - is climbing through the grades rapidly as she tries to reach her goal of making for the Bay Of Plenty under-19 squad next year.
''Ten weeks ago, at the cut-off for this tournament, I was D1, and now I'm C1.
''At the start of the year, I was E1. I'm aiming to be at the top of B2 or bottom of B1 by the end of next year.''
Clarke thinks her strengths lie in her cross-court kills and lobs for now, but said squash was an all-round game - particularly mentally.
''It's a lot of everything, because you have to use your mind as well. If you're not in the right mindset, then you can't really hit the ball. I've played so many games when I haven't go on in the right mindset and I've played really badly.''
With squash-mad parents, Clarke has had a racket in her hand for most of her 14 years.
''I've played squash pretty much my whole life,'' Clarke said.
''We used to go down to the club with mum and dad but I started playing more last year.
''It keeps me fit and it's really great to meet new people through squash. I hang out with all the junior people at tournaments.''
About 100 men and women are in town for the D grade teams tournament, which ends today.
