15 November 2010 | Tennis Victoria

Liston Tennis Club and Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club have won the inaugural men’s and women’s Premier League titles respectively.

Liston defeated Geelong Lawn Tennis Club in a 6-0 whitewash, continuing their impressive unbeaten run for the season.

“The secret to our success this year was that we were strong at every number,” said Dane Nebel, Club Coach at Liston Tennis Club who was in charge of organising the team this year.

“Half the team was undefeated for the whole season. It’s been a great season from start to finish. We couldn’t be happier.”

In the women’s, Kooyong won their third straight title at the highest level in the state, with a 7-14-93 to 1-2-63 defeat of Geelong.

At 2-1 after the doubles, a commanding win by Viktorija Rajicic over Alenka Hubacek, and a come from behind win for Molly Polak over Olivia Rich helped to secure the win.

“It was the most brilliant tennis I’ve ever seen at this level and our girls were fantastic, said Ian Hill, President of Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club.

Whilst Geelong Lawn Tennis Club was disappointed at losing both finals, they will take a lot away from reaching both finals in their first year back at the highest level for 54 years.

“It’s been a real privilege to play for Geelong,” said Matthew Hicks, Captain of the men’s team.

“It’s really been a highlight for us to make the final. It’s a disappointing end to the day but it’s been a really good season.”

It is a sentiment echoed by Geelong Lawn’s No.1 player in the women’s team, Alenka Hubacek.

“Geelong has been really good to me when I was younger and it’s been great to play for them again this year.”

 Ken Barton, Manager at Geelong Lawn Tennis Club says the players can hold their heads high and look forward to 2011.

 “I’m really proud of the way the players have represented us during the season,” said Barton.

 “The camaraderie and passion they’ve shown has really been an inspiration for some of the young juniors at the club and we really appreciate their commitment.

 “We want to make this [Premier League] a sustainable thing that we can develop for Geelong into the future.”

 The format of th new competition was given the thumbs up by many involved.

 “[I] definitely prefer this format to what it has been in the past. It’s been good to get the touring players like Rubin [Statham], myself and other guys playing this year,” said Dayne Kelly, the No.1 player for Liston.

 Matthew Hicks also gave the new format the seal of approval.

 “I enjoyed the format because it makes it a lot shorter season and more players can commit, which makes the tennis a lot stronger,” said Hicks.

 “I’ve actually enjoyed the challenge a lot.”