25 February 2015 | Tennis West

The 7 week summer break was packed with 10 Australian Ranking tournaments, offering competitive opportunities to players of all levels. They ranged from White, Bronze, Silver and Gold level Junior Tour events to Australian Money Tournaments both White and Bronze.

East Fremantle TC launched the season with players enjoying great matches on the banks of the river. Winners in the 16’s were Austin Vos and Lara Vujasinovic, in the 14’s Simon Ferreira and Sofiya Bazarova, in the 12’s William Shepherd and Casey Tay and in the 10’s Ben Walsh and Audrey McGrail.

The players then moved on to Robertson Park TC for their popular pre-Christmas tournament. After 4 days of matches the winners were presented with their trophies by Hopman Cup Tournament Director, Paul Kilderry. Evan Ross and Chloe Williams were victors in the 10’s, Indonesian visitors Rifqy Ramadhan and Priska Nugroho in the 12’s, Simon Ferreira and Fitriani Sabatini in the 14’s and Luca Bonini and Askin Arslan in the 16’s.

After Boxing Day, players enjoyed the fine weather and courts in the Professional Michael Johnson and co Junior Tour and Australian Money Tournament. The field for the AMT was strengthened by US college players home for the Christmas holidays, who thrilled spectators with some of the highest standard matches seen in Perth in 2014. Vuk Velickovic (pictured above) and Caitlin Cridland took home the prizemoney and the trophies went to Jurie Terblanche and Yelena Kelleher in the 10’s, Rifqy Ramadhan and Priska Nugroho in the 12’s, Daniel Downey and Fitriani Sabatini in the 14’s and Evan Manso and Jasmine Carswell in the 16’s.

The new year began with two consecutive White Junior Tour events aimed at entry level players and played over 3 days using the Fast4 format, at Applecross and South Perth. These tournaments were a lot of fun while also ensuring that players experienced good quality matches against opponents of a similar standard.

Alexander Park then hosted a Silver Junior Tournament for the more serious competitors, who braved the warm weather and enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of the club. Evan Ross won the 10’s to increase his tally to 2, Sam De Andrade and Natasha Camer-Pesci prevailed in the 12’s, David Abfalter (SA) and Lexie Weir succeeded in the 14’s and Dino Bisignano and Askin Arslan collected the silverware in the 16’s.

By this stage players were prepared for the Perth Open Gold Tournament at the State Tennis Centre on hard court surface. Max Weir and Lauren Nikoloski were the top12’s, David Abfalter (SA) and Mihaylia White excelled in the 14’s and Tristan Scholkate and Askin Arslan took the points in the 16’s.

Another Silver event followed at Dalkeith, with Kevin Herbert and Chloe Williams taking the 10’s, Kenneth Prete and Natasha Camer-Pesci securing the 12’s, Conor Enslin and Lexie Weir succeeding in the 14’s and Tom Hann and Olivia Rimmer seizing the 16’s.
Players and their families then packed their cars and headed down south to Busselton for a tournament by the sea. Winners included Andrew Horridge and Paris Henson (10’s), Reuben Giorgio and Natasha Camer-Pesci (12’s), Matt De Groot and Lukindo Simbile (14’s) and Tristan Schoolkate in the 16’s. Ocean swims were the preferred way to cool down between matches, and players loved their “holiday” event.

To end off a fabulous summer of competition, Midland presented an AMT and JT for players of all ages. Nathan Lim and Audrey McGrail earned honours in the 10’s, along with Max Weir and Casey Tay (12’s), Conor Enslin and Lukundo Simbile (14’s), Daniel Downey and Katrina Davis (16’s) and Cameron Fenner and Teiwa Casey in the AMT.

The following players deserve special mention for earning first or second place in four or more tournaments over the summer. Congratulations on your success and endurance:
Natasha Camer-Pesci (5)
Kenneth Prete (4)
Casey Tay (4)

These tournaments form part of the player development pathway and also allow the acquisition of valuable Australian Ranking points as athletes progress through the levels of events, each designed to suit a particular standard of player. Good matches are the objective and success is the target. Just one aspect of our national strategy to grow a Grand Slam champion. Our thanks to the clubs, tournament directors, parents and officials who form the team that work together to deliver optimum competitive opportunities to players in a safe and enjoyable environment.

Full draws and results can be found at www.tennis.com.au/tournaments 

Pictured above: Vuk Velickovic, winner of the Professional Michael Johnson and Co AMT.

Photo Credit: Daniel Milligan