The 2011 Legends Breakfast, hosted by Tennis West and Women In Tennis at Burswood Entertainment Complex on 3 January, was once again offered as part of the Hopman Cup festivities. This year two legends, past and present, were welcomed at the event by Tennis West President Dean Williams – former Grand Slam Doubles winner Liz Smylie , and recent world number 8 and Hopman hopeful Alicia Molik.
Liz was very much embraced by the 276 Breakfast attendees, not just because she is a local WA girl (growing up on the grass of Claremont Lawn TC) and WA’s only Grand Slam title winner. She was as entertaining and bubbly on the day as she is in the commentary box, sharing anecdotes about her career as well as views on the current state of the game in Australia and beyond. Paul McNamee joined Liz on stage and they played off each other, including reminiscences of a Wimbledon Mixed Doubles final in 1985 in which Paul and Martina Navratilova (not a bad pairing!) relegated Liz and John Fitzgerald to runners up.Alicia provided the modern tennis player’s perspective. She recounted how she grew up in South Australia on the heels of Lleyton Hewitt, enjoying a fruitful tennis relationship since early childhood that they bring to the 2011 Hopman Cup in their pairing together for Australia. Alicia recalled her quarter final loss to Lindsay Davenport at the Australian Open in 2005, and talked of the challenges of coming back to the tour after injury and retirement. The current resident of WA was, as always, charming and thoroughly respectful for what the game has given her.On conclusion of the Breakfast, most of the attendees present went on to the Dome to watch Great Britain versus Italy in what turned out to be an enthralling (and hot!) encounter, Italy coming out on top in the deciding Mixed Doubles.The Legends Breakfast raises money for Tennis West’s 100 Club and the Women In Tennis committee, whose President Trish Ross spoke on the morning. Once again Linneys provided a wonderful raffle prize (a pearl pendant worth over $1200) won by June Rundle, wife of Tennis West Life Member Dene Rundle. Tennis West is grateful for Linneys continued support.Channel 9 and 6PR’s Peter Vlahos, a loyal and much appreciated supporter of Tennis West, again acted as MC and brought the best out of our Legends. As ever the Women In Tennis committee made a wonderful contribution to the event, as they do for women’s tennis in WA all year round. Finally, our thanks go to Ted Reiss who fought a keenly contested bidding war to purchase 2 seats in the Tennis West Box for the Hyundai Hopman Cup Final, the proceeds of which go to Tennis West’s 100 Club.
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