Hamilton's Melissa Tapper set to compete in 2021 Tokyo Olympics

Whether it's in her hometown, Hamilton, or elsewhere in the south-west, she has been generous with her time since becoming an international sensation.

And her loyal cheer squad from the south-west is eager to watch her compete in the Tokyo Olympics mixed doubles on Saturday. She was also selected for the teams events.

Fans will have their eyes glued to their TV screens as she and Heming Hu take on France's Emmanuel Lebesson and Jia Nan Yuan at Tokyo Metropolitan Gym (12.15pm AEST).

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Hamilton Table Tennis Association (HTTA) secretary Annette Moore highlighted Tapper's generosity.

"Hamilton table tennis has always been extremely proud of the fact Melissa did start here," she said.

"And we also appreciate whenever she has the opportunities....she has always come back to the club and has given back.

"She's always been happy to come back here and run a program."

Moore was there from the beginning of Tapper's journey to the top-level.

She explained a table tennis schools' program helped spark Tapper's interest in the game and she was soon at the HTTA.

The then George Street Primary student started in pennant and used to "play at every opportunity she had".

The hard work reaped rewards which was exciting for those around Tapper.

"I was just delighted to see a young person progress as she did because her parents would take her to tournaments," Moore said.

"By the time she was 12 or 13, she used to go to tournaments in Ballarat, and she'd win trophies and she just started winning things all the time."

A story that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up came at Tapper's first Victorian country championships when she was in her mid-teens.

"She was the talk of the whole competition," Moore said.

"Everyone wanted to see this young girl - 'you should see this young girl play' (they'd say). She was was just amazing. And she really created a buzz. She's just always had that something extra."

Moore explained Tapper started training in Melbourne in her mid teens and was selected for state teams.

The HTTA secretary fondly remembers when Tapper and fellow Australian representative David Powell came to Hamilton in 2018.

"Kids had come from everywhere just to see Melissa Tapper," she said.

Tapper's involvement in south-west table tennis extended beyond Hamilton.

There were a slew of inter-town competitions.

Warrnambool Table Tennis Association president Mark Taylor and life member Simon Johnson recalled Tapper and Rebecca Scarborough (Janes) playing together when they were in their early teens.

"They were quite good buddies. And I guess because they were both here at the same time they played against each other or played with each other quite a lot," Taylor said.

"They were great competitors through their high school years until Melissa went to Melbourne when she was in year 11 or 12 to further her game," Johnson added.

Johnson and Tapper teamed up with Craig Heath at the 2008 country week tournament in A grade at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

"I think we came second so that was a pretty good effort," Johnson said.

Johnson was also one of Tapper's hitting partners as she strove to get better through her teens.

Taylor and Johnson have long been impressed by Tapper's talent.

"Melissa has always been ahead of the game, really, in the times that I've seen her," he said.

"So we had in our junior tournament. We didn't have enough girls to play in our under 18s. So we joined the girls in with the boys.

"Melissa made the final of the under 18s in that event against quite a few state-ranked players. So she's always held her own. She's always been dedicated.

"Lots of elite athletes are incredibly focused on their tasks at hand -and I'm not saying Melissa's not - but she's always stayed very approachable and friendly and a person that's easy to get along with."

Moore spoke highly of Tapper's temperament.

The HTTA secretary said she came to realise when Tapper was under pressure, she would hunker down as she knew she really had to win a point.

Johnson talked about Tapper's confidence to buck the trend and play an attacking style.

"Table tennis is a funny game, you've got lots of different styles and ways to play the game," he said.

"Often back then the girls were more defensive but she had this real attacking flair and has always looked like she was going be something a bit different. So very impressive from a young age."

As for this weekend's mixed doubles, Tapper's fans are getting right behind the underdog pair.

"I've got my fingers crossed, and all the little green clovers out hoping that she and Hemming will do themselves proud," Moore said.

"Put it this way, even if they don't win, I know that they will do the absolute best they can."

Taylor and Johnson are likewise hopeful the Aussie pair can cause an upset.

"When you're out there on the court, anything can happen," Taylor said.

"And I will certainly be cheering along and hoping the underdogs get up."

Johnson said it was always tough for the Australian players on the world stage.

"We always struggle against the better teams, but you never know. It's a mixed doubles she's playing with Heming Hu, who is a very talented player as well," he said.

Taylor highlighted that Tapper has also had a long affiliation with the South West Academy of Sport.

He added she was the special guest at the South West Games three times.

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