17 October 2011 | Tennis Queensland

Tennis legend Mal Anderson, former Davis Cup player Robert Smeets, and current ATP ranked juniors Andrew McLeod and Mark Richardson will be leading the Brisbane International South region trophy tour this Sunday, October 16.

The players will start the journey in Warwick on Sunday October 16, then head to Dalby (17th), Chinchilla (18th), Toowoomba (19th) and the Lockyer Valley (20th ) over the course of a week.

At each destination, locals are invited to attend an interactive festival held in the afternoon at a hosting club. Here, tennis enthusiasts can get on court with tennis legend and 1957 U.S. Open Grand Slam champion Mal Anderson, grab some hot tennis tips from former Australian Davis Cup player  Rob Smeets, and enjoy a top class exhibition match between rising ATP ranked juniors Andrew McLeod and Mark Richards.

Mal Anderson is excited to take the Brisbane International to regional Queensland.

“I am really looking forward to travel through the south on the Brisbane International Trophy Tour, as it is a great opportunity to stimulate tennis in the region,” Anderson commented.

“Anything which encourages getting youngsters involved in tennis is great and I am always keen and passionate to be involved.”

Former Davis Cup athlete Robert Smeets is also keen to visit the South.

“Heading to the south region will be a great experience, and I will really enjoy promoting tennis through the Brisbane International Trophy Tour,” Smeets said.

“It’s [the trophy tour] a fantastic opportunity to get locals playing tennis and also to promote Queensland’s premier tennis tournament, the Brisbane International.”

ATP ranked juniors Mark Richards and Andrew McLeod can’t wait to get out on court in the South.

“I grew up in the south [Toowoomba] so I can’t wait to take the tour back to my hometown,” Richards said.

“In fact, we are taking the MLC Tennis in Schools Hot Shots program to Highfields State School [in Toowoomba] which is where I went to school!”

This is Andrew McLeod’s second Brisbane International Trophy Tour.

“The last tour to the West region was such a great experience, so I can’t wait to go on the South tour,” McLeod said.

“It is a great experience to play and coach in front of the local kids, and get them involved in tennis.”

Aside from spending time with some present and past top Queensland tennis players, south region tennis enthusiasts will have the opportunity to get a photo with the Brisbane International trophies, enjoy a free BBQ, receive prizes and participate in fun tennis activities including the MLC Tennis Hot Shots program in each town.