She enters 2015 determined to build a major foundation for a full-time move to the professional circuit.

The Kingston 18-year-old is ready to be challenged physically and mentally as she mixes court time with VCE studies for a second year.

Hives says her primary aim is to climb in world women’s singles rankings from 917 to 300.

She said getting into the world top 300 would open many doors.

Hives said primarily it would allow her to get straight into the main draw for $50,000 tournaments on the Australian circuit next summer – removing the need to rely on getting through qualifying rounds.

To help achieve the objective, Hives is planning to venture overseas.

“It’s all about points, so I’ll be going overseas.”

Although she has yet to confirm a playing schedule, she appears certain to spend time in the United States and Europe.

Right now though, Hives’ focus is on getting her body right under the guidance of her Melbourne-based coach, Michael Logarzo.

“I’m in a hard training block at the moment,” she said.

An extensive weights program is a major part of the phase.

Given she is not in peak condition for tournament play, Hives is delighted with the way she has rounded out 2014 with back-to-back women’s doubles titles.

With victory in the Ballarat Open Gold AMT in the lead-up to Christmas, Hives and Katherine West-

bury repeated the dose in the Victorian Grass Court Championships at Geelong.

The number one seeds defeated Mary Ann Liu and Genevieve Lorbergs, who have experience on the US college circuit, 3-6 6-4 10-6, in a tight final lasting almost 90 minutes.

Hives and Westbury opened their campaign comfortably enough with a 6-4 6-4 win over Julie Golightly and Taylah Mielczarek.

They pushed all the way in the semi-finals in getting the better of Karen Filippou and Carolyn McGann 5-7 7-6 10-8.

McGann is the top seed for the Tennis Victoria Inter-Regionals at Creswick on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Hives will now turn her attention to representing Melbourne Cricket Club Stars, which also feature Westbury, in the Asia Pacific Tennis League finals at Melbourne Park later this month.

The event coincides with the second week of the Australian Open.

Hives will then play tournaments in South Australia before returning to Victoria to contest the Mildura International in March and two events in Melbourne before setting plans for her overseas trip.

As well as being pleased with her form, Hives is also rapt to be finally over a right shoulder problem, which has troubled her over the past 12 months.

This has not only freed her up on court but also allowed her to step up her training regimen to what is required at a professional level.

Hives has climbed to the high 20s in the national women’s rankings after starting the year at 43.