22 January 2017 | Tennis Australia

South Australia’s Jemma G. (St Agnes, SA) from Tea Tree Gully Tennis Club and Western Australia’s James M. (Leeming, WA) from Blue Gum Park Tennis Club scored a trip of a lifetime to Australian Open 2017 when they won the ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Match Play competition for them and their three team mates.

Jemma and her Match Play team mates Elisha B. (Greenwith), Madeline B. (Salisbury Heights) and Taylor G. (St Agnes) and James and his team mates Rylee H. (Banjup), Gerard H. (Bateman) and Sam H.(Mount Pleasant) flew to Melbourne to experience the first Grand Slam of the year. They were given the chance to play on the same courts as the world’s best and take a behind the scenes tour during the tournament.

Jemma and James were lucky enough to toss the coin for a match on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday 21 January.

The competition was open to all ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Match Play participants around Australia and simply asked participants what they love about playing in ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Match Play at their local club with their friends.

The prize included return flights to Melbourne plus two nights’ accommodation for the winner and their team mates.

ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Match Play is the perfect way for children aged 7-11 years old to experience their first team tennis Match Play experience and transition from learning to playing the game.

Match Play teams are made up of both boys and girls with two or more players per team. It’s a fun and social way for kids to be introduced to team tennis and is played at both Orange Ball and Green Ball stage. Kids who become involved in Match Play will learn the basics of game play as well as scoring.