1 November 2016 | Beth Johnstone

Canberra tennis great, former World No. 15 and 2016 inaugural inductee to the recently installed Tennis ACT Walk of Fame, Wally Masur, visited the new historical landmark he is now a part of today and watched some of the live action at the Apis Canberra International.

Masur raved about the Canberra tennis community and the redeveloped centre in Lyneham.

“When I was young, playing tennis in Canberra, it was a really strong tennis scene,” he said.

“As a kid I played a lot of tennis at Lyneham,” he said. “It’s taken a lot of years, but we’ve got a world class facility in Canberra.”

Masur also said it’s nice to check in on Australian players he’s familiar with, such as World No. 99 Jordan Thompson (NSW) and World No. 164 James Duckworth (NSW), as well as emerging players like Max Purcell (NSW).

When asked how he felt to be inducted into the Tennis ACT Walk of Fame, he was determined to talk about the support he’s received from the Canberra tennis community over the years.

“I would have to say that the city of Canberra was pretty beneficial,” he said. “More than just moral support, there was financial support. So, the fact that I ended up having a good career and I’ve got a star in the Walk of Fame, I’ve got a lot to thank Canberra for.”

Masur has high hopes for the future of tennis in Canberra, commenting on the successes of Canberra locals, World No. 13 Nick Kyrgios and 13-year-old junior talent Annerly Poulos.

“It’s kind of like a big country town,” he said about Canberra. “I think it’s a really good place to nurture sporting talent.”

Part of the Australian Pro Tour series, the Apis Canberra International is on now at the Canberra Tennis Centre in Lyneham until Sunday November 6.

The Tennis ACT Walk of Fame is located at the entrance to the redeveloped Canberra Tennis Centre. The permanent legacy celebrates the rich sporting history of tennis in the ACT and its significance to the nation’s capital.