18 January 2013 | Tennis Victoria

The Asia Pacific Tennis League (ATL), tennis’ version of Twenty20, takes another monumental step in its development with the ATL playoffs to be a feature side attraction at the 2013 Australian Open.  The best teams from Australia as well as other teams from the Asia Pacific region including New Zealand and Pacific Oceania will battle it out for over $95,000 in prize money.

The ATL Victorian Conference was a huge success with local tennis clubs having unprecedented levels of spectators flocking to matches to witness this entertaining shortened format competition designed to promote fast paced aggressive tennis. The competition features no deuce, no let and a first to four format for each set.

Victoria’s own Liston Seagulls will compete in the Men’s draw after winning the ATL Victorian Conference in November.  Led by the current world record holder of the fastest serve at 263km/h, Sam Groth, the No 1 seeded team will be hard to beat.  Leading in to the playoffs, Groth said, “We expect some tough competition, particularly from the Queensland, New South Wales and New Zealand sides.  The format of the competition allows anyone to come through so we’re looking forward to the challenge.”  Liston have named a strong line up with Sam Groth, Matt Reid, Rubin Statham and James Lemke.  Liston President Gary Clark added, “We appreciate that it will be a hard fought competition, we look forward to being competitive and hopefully we can do Liston and Victoria proud.”

In the women’s playoffs  the undefeated Victorian Conference winners, the Kooyong Classics, will fly the Victorian flag led by a star studded team of Sally Peers, Belinda Woolcock and Molly Polak to name a few.  Seeded third the Kooyong ladies will have their work cut out for them facing the might of the Steelers from NSW and the SA team Flagstaff Freighters, but are sure to make their presence felt and feature deep into the competition.  Kooyong Classics Team Manager Daniel O’Neil said, “From a club perspective we are just so happy for the players and the opportunity the competition will provide for them.”

Due to injury the team representing Asia has had to withdraw from the Men’s playoffs.  This has allowed the Men’s Kooyong Classics team to come in as a replacement.  The Classics will be a major contender with Team Captain David Bidmeade excited by the opportunity given to his team.   “We know we can definitely compete with the other teams.  The format of the competition gives us the belief that we can beat anyone and hopefully defend our National Tennis League title we won last year.”

Tennis Victoria’s Competitions Manager Jeff Downes is excited about Victorias chances.  “We will certainly be very well represented with Kooyong in the women’s playoffs and Liston and Kooyong on the men’s side being the teams to beat. All players have been building momentum nicely with some outstanding individual results and encouraging form from the lead up tournaments to the Australian Open.”

The ATL Playoff’s will commence on Tuesday 22 January with the final on Thursday 24 January 2013 at Melbourne Park.  Victorian’s are encouraged to come along and support their home sides as they take on the world. Round 1 will see an all Victorian match up in the men’s draw with the Liston Seagulls taking on the Kooyong Classics.  In the women’s draw the Kooyong Classics will face the New Zealand Tuis.

Ground pass tickets will be required to gain entry and can be booked through Ticketek.

To keep up todate with ATL results follow Tennis Victoria on Twitter.

Check out our wrap up of the ATL Victorian Conference below.