21 January 2014 | Tennis Victoria

Victoria is rallying behind our very own Andrew Whittington (Williamstown) who tonight with doubles partner Alex Bolt (South Australia) will take on the 8th seeds Daniel Nestor (CAN) and Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) on Rod Laver Arena following the Djokovic v Wawrinka match.

In a fantastic achievement for the young men, coming through on a Wildcard to make their way to the quarterfinals of their home Grand Slam. After great success at the lead up tournaments in Toowoomba, Cairns and Alice Springs, Whittington and Bolt have carried their performances through to the Australian Open Men’s doubles knocking out the 3^rd seed Spanish pair of Marrero and Verdasco before then eliminating Carreno Busta and Garcia-Lopez the following day in Round 3.

In anticipation of tonight’s match Andrew’s father Alan Whittington said “I know how hard he has worked and I’m just so proud of what he and Alex achieved over the weekend to get to this point.  I can’t wait to be sitting in the stands of Rod Laver Arena tonight.”

Hailing from the western suburbs courts of Liston Tennis Club, Whittington has had a consistent rise through the ranks to where he is today. Speaking on behalf of the club, President Gary Clark said “What an experience and what an achievement Saturday was for a 20 year old lad, and his 21 year old mate.  I recall Andrew starting out and developing in the game on our humble courts in the western suburbs of Melbourne.  And now he’s on the world stage – it’s just great.”

Incidentally, Andrew’s Asia-Pacific Tennis League (ATL) side, the Kooyong Classics has also been playing this week after winning their way through to the ATL Playoffs. They won their first match yesterday without their key player knowing that he has great things ahead for him tonight. Kooyong Classics Team Manager Daniel O’Neill said “He was actually meant to be competing for Kooyong on the outside courts in the finals of the Asia-Pacific Tennis League today but Rod Laver Arena obviously takes some precedence and we’re all just thrilled for Andrew.”

Whittingon / Bolt (AUS) will play Nestor (CAN) / Zimonjic (SRB) on Rod Laver Arena tonight following the Djokovic v Wawrinka match.

The Kooyong Classics will play the Tennis Brisbane Chargers today at 11am on Courts 11 and 13.