After 16 weeks of action, the Tennis West men’s and women’s State League Finals came down to the wire with results in the balance until the final point.
In the men’s, Cottesloe Tennis Club broke a seven-year drought to claim their eighth men’s State League title over Hensman Park in front of a packed crowd.
The scores were even throughout the day in the singles with both teams winning two rubbers each. Cottesloe started well, with the in form Max Weir taking the tie with Hensman Park’s Austin Vos in straight sets. Weir went through the season with an impressive 16-0 record.
Cottesloe captain, Will Hann fought off Zach Itzstein in a tense match, winning both set tie-breaks to win in straight sets. The win gave Cottesloe a 2-0 lead, however Hensman Park fought back thanks to wins from Rhys Johnson and Vuk Velickovic.
With the score at two matches apiece it came down to the final stretch, with the visitors leading by just seven games heading into the doubles. In dramatic circumstances, both doubles matches were moved to the hard courts under lights midway through the match due to bad light.
Cottesloe’s Adam Kehane and Matthew Burton defeated Hensman Park’s Zach Itzstein and Evan Manso in straight sets 7-5, 7-6 which meant Cottesloe only had to win a set in the other doubles match.
Coming from a set down, Cottesloe’s Will Hann and Max Weir took the second set over Vuk Velickovic and Rhys Johnson to clinch the title.
Prior to the men’s final, Tennis West hosted a pre final function at Cottesloe Tennis Club with 100 key stakeholders, sponsors, and club representatives to celebrate a successful State League season. This function was hosted by Cam Robbins, who engaged with men’s State League captains Will Hann and Vuk Velickovic in an insightful Q&A about the season and their thoughts on the upcoming final followed by a Q&A with Tennis West CEO, Brett Patten and Head of Competitions and Leagues, Shane Smedley.
In the women’s, it was a historic day for Peppermint Grove who claimed their maiden title by upsetting minor premiers Alexander Park in a tense battle at Alexander Park.
Former New Zealand Federation Cup representative Shona Lee caused the upset of the day, beating Alexander Park’s Marisa Gianotti 6-3 6-0 to level the scores after Sheridan Currie had beaten Caitlin Hindmarsh in a three-set thriller 6-1 4-6 10-6.
The second set of singles matches provided plenty of energy and entertainment for the large crowd with Peppermint Grove’s young stars Jessie Culley and Tara Aleksic both coming back from a set down to win their matches in the super tie-break.
With Peppermint Grove up 3-1 heading into the doubles rubbers, the visitors only needed to win one match to secure the title which they were able to do by Jessie Culley and Caitlin Hindmarsh beating Alexander Park’s Madeleine Watson and Kattie O’Shea 6-1, 6-2 to secure the title for Peppermint Grove.
Tennis West would like to thank all our partners for the 2022-23 State League season. Thanks to:
Tyrepower
Concept Marketing
Complete Home Filtration
Driftwood Margaret River
Showscreens
Tennis West would also like to thank Linneys Jewellery for the custom-made championship bracelets for the winning teams and match referees.
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