Son of tennis star set for Swans AFL debut
Mar 23, 2017 - 4:49 AM A who's who of Australian tennis will be paying special attention when exciting teenager Oliver Florent makes his AFL debut for the Sydney Swans against Port Adelaide on Saturday.Florent, a first-round draft pick, is the son of former Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon doubles quarter-finalist Andrew Florent, who died last year at just 45.
Florent's long-time doubles partner Paul Kilderry and former Davis Cup captain Wally Masur will both be in the crowd at the SCG, while Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter are also known to be "pumped" for the match.
Hewitt is unable to attend while in Miami pulling together his Davis Cup team for next month's quarter-final tie against the USA.
Kilderry, who is making the trip from Melbourne, said many of Florent's friends find following "Oli" as a way of staying connected with the memory of his father, a hugely popular figure in Australian tennis who once coached Mark Philippoussis.
"I am sure his dad would be incredibly proud," Kilderry told AAP on Thursday.
"Andrew was a huge Hawthorn fan and his favourite player was Buddy Franklin, so to think Oli will be running out with Buddy is amazing.
"As Oliver was going through the draft process last year there were recruiters coming to visit them every week. Sometimes Andrew was very sick and could not even get down the stairs to meet them, but he knew Oli was certainly going to get drafted.
"Even at his sickest Andrew would will himself along to Oli's games on the weekends and it was something he looked forward to every week."
Oliver's younger brother Jai, also a talent who plays for the Sandringham Dragons, and mother Rachael, will also be in the SCG crowd among about 20 members of the Florent family.
Taken with the 11th pick last year, the speedy 18-year-old and former Sandringham Dragon can play both as a midfielder and forward.
He played in all three of Sydney's pre-season games, averaging 13 disposals and kicking two early goals in the first match against North Melbourne.
"I am in shock. I never thought I would play so early and I am just so excited to get out there with the team," he said on the Swans' website.
Source: AAP
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