21 February 2012 | Tennis Queensland

Australia’s top junior tennis stars are set to compete at the Optus 12s and 14s National Grasscourt Championships this week, taking place in Mildura from Tuesday 21 February.

The tournament is a platinum level event on the Optus Junior Tour, a series of events offering the country’s aspiring junior tennis players valuable match play and the chance to obtain Australian Ranking points across five levels.

In the 12s boys’ draw, top seed and 2011 Optus 12s Australian Championships semi finalist Benard Nkomba (NSW) will lead the field including [2] Kody Pearson (NSW), [3] Matthew Romios (Vic), [4] Alexander Crnokrak (Qld) and [5] Adam Walton (Qld).

No. 1 seed Jaimee Fourlis (Vic) will be joined by 2011 Optus 12s Australian Championships runner-up [7] Petra Hule (SA), [2] Aleksa Cveticanin (Qld), [3] Vivian Fidantsis (Vic) and [4] Kyra Yap (Qld) in the girls’ draw.

2011 Optus 14s Australian Championships runner-up Sara Tomic (Qld) will headline the 14s girls’ field.  Joining her will be [2] Olivia Tjandramulia (Qld), [3] Chloe Hule (SA), [4] Noelleda Ah San (Vic) and [5] Kimberly Birrell (Qld).

Chase Ferguson (Vic), winner of the 2011 Optus 12s Australian Championships, will compete against Brian Tran (NSW), Jack Lyttle (WA), Mitchell Harper (Qld), Jack Walton (Qld) and Cole Ingram (Qld) among others in the 14s boys’ competition.

Tournament Director Francis Soyer welcomes the young group of junior tennis players to Mildura and hopes they enjoy the experience on grass.

“To play on grass is a great opportunity for the kids to improve on their technique and playing style,” Soyer said. 

“The tournament is an important part of their development and we hope the kids have a great competitive week and get the most out of it.”

The juniors will have the opportunity to watch the country’s top professional players including Nature’s Way Sydney International winner and world No.3 junior Ashleigh Barty (Qld), Isabella Holland (Qld) and Bojana Bobusic (WA) in action against a host of established international players at the Mildura Grand International also taking place at the Mildura Lawn Tennis Club from Tuesday.

Jason Kubler (Qld) is set to make his first appearance in Australia this season when he competes in the men’s draw among fellow Australians James Lemke (Vic), Brydan Klein (WA) and John Peers (Vic). World No.1 junior Luke Saville (SA) will also compete after being awarded a wildcard.

For more information on the 2012 Optus 12s and 14s National Grasscourt Championships visit www.tennis.com.au.

For information on the Mildura Grand International visit here and for the ITF Pro circuit visit www.itftennis.com