As the 2024/25 Tennis West State League Season approaches, the anticipation builds as teams and players are confirmed and ready to go.
With a diverse lineup of seasoned champions and promising newcomers, this season is set to be a riveting showcase of top-tier tennis talent. Let’s take a closer look at the teams nominated for this season.
WOMEN’S TEAMS
Hensman Park Tennis Club
2023/24 Finish: Premiers
Captain: Anja Dokic
Last year’s champions were unstoppable last year, only losing one match for the season. The main core of players from last season returns with Anja Dokic leading the side and joined by up-and-coming young talent and 2023/24 KC Australia Junior Star Alice Stevens, 2021/22 Women’s State League MVP Ella Nurkic, Juan Yum who returns to her junior club from Applecross last season, Karen Bucans award winner Riana Tan and youngster Karin Hiramatsu. The team has a strong mix of young and mature players and should compete well again this year.
Alexander Park Tennis Club
2023/24 Finish: Finalists
Captain: Peyton Duckett
Alexander Park were once again finalists but were unable to get the win. This season, the team is different with the departures of Katy O’Shea, Sheridan Currie and Marisa Gianotti and have gone with a mixture of youth in Jana Ruzic who comes from Royal Kings Park as well as sisters Isla and Kendal McDonald. After making her State League debut last year, Claudia Shearwood returns and will look to play a key role in the team this season. Youngster Peyton Duckett takes the captaincy reigns from Katy O’Shea after a very impressive season last year where she regularly played in the number one seed position.
Peppermint Grove Tennis Club
2023/24 Finish: 5th
Captain: Nisha Whittome
The Peppermint Grove team has also seen a transformation this off season with key young players Jessie Culley going to her junior club Cottesloe, Tara Aleksic moving to her junior club Dalkeith and Sara Nikolic moving to Royal Kings Park. The team has brought in Sunny Youn from Applecross and Amy Findlay from Royal Kings Park. The team will be young with Nisha Whittome taking the captaincy from experienced player Caitlin Hindmarsh. The team also includes 15-year-old Isabelle Criddle and Mary-June Quinn.
Royal Kings Park Tennis Club
2023/24 Finish: 2nd on ladder
Captain: Amelia Tatafu
The Royal Kings Park team comprises a talented group of young and experienced players brimming with potential. Top rated UTR player Sara Nikolic joins the team coming from Peppermint Grove and will play a bit part in their campaign this season. Mahta Khanloo and Skye Royall hop across the river from Applecross to join the team and add some experience while team captain Amelia Tatafu will lead the team for the second year straight.
Dalkeith Tennis Club
2023/24 Finish: 6th
Captain: Lauren Nikoloski
Led by Women’s State League 2022/23 MVP Lauren Nikoloski, Dalkeith is fueled by the determination to improve on their 6th place finish from the previous season. With Nikoloski’s leadership and the team’s collective drive, they are expected to bring an extra edge to their game and pose a formidable challenge to the top contenders in the league. Dalkeith have added depth to their squad with the inclusion of Tara Aleksic from Peppermint Grove while maintaining regulars such as Ali Connell, Meg Connell, Hayley Burton and Sally Partington.
Cottesloe Tennis Club
New to this season
Captain: Alicia Molik
Cottesloe returns to the State League set up in the women’s competition and will bring a wealth of experience and young talent. The team is headlined by captain and former world number 8 Alicia Molik who played in Cottesloe’s Division One women’s team last year. Jessie Culley returns to her junior club after moving from Peppermint Grove this off season and is joined by her older sister Ruby Culley. The team has also added depth in acquiring Ksenjia Vujacic from Hensman Park and rising star Elena Manoj.
MEN’S TEAMS
Alexander Park Tennis Club
2023/24 Finish: 3rd
Captain: Ashwin Sharma
Alexander Park has retained most of their squad from last year with Ashwin Sharma continuing his role as captain. The side will be looking to improve on a respectable third place last year and have kept experienced Alexander Park regulars Evan Manso, Scott Jones and Austin Vos. The only main change is Nathan Schupelius coming over from Blue Gum Tennis Club. The experience the team has could potentially lead them higher up the ladder this season.
Cottesloe Tennis Club
2023/24 Finish: Champions
Captain: Will Hann
Last year’s champions are back for another season and will be out to grab the three peat. The key to the team is the stability of the side. The core players have been around for several years and gel well together. The side also has incredible depth and mix of young and experienced talent. Will Hann will captain the side again with Ethan Dunn, Cameron Burton and Scott Webster returning. After a year at college, 2022/23 Men’s MVP Max Weir returns to the side to add to the depth as well as brother of Scott Webster, Ben Webster.
Mt Lawley/Sorrento Tennis Club
2023/24 Finish: 6th
Captain: Abdoulaziz Bationo
After finishing down the ladder last season, Mt Lawley/Sorrento will be looking to improve on last year’s performance. The side has kept a couple of its core players from last season in Casey Ambler, Michael Faulkner and Kendrick Chia and will be hoping to see rising star Jake Dembo play as much as possible. The team has added Luca Katsamakis from UWA Tennis Club to add some depth to the side. The team has also recruited Abdoulaziz Bationo who comes from the Cote D’Ivoire.
Peppermint Grove Tennis Club
2023/24 Finish: Runners-Up
Captain: Sam Chapman
After falling short in last year’s final, Peppermint Grove are hungry to go one better. The side remains relatively similar to last year with Jayden Court returning along with team captain Sam Chapman and Sam Ashenden. The club has recruited well, gaining two regular number one seed players from rival clubs in Tim Gray from UWA Tennis Club and Ethan Cook from Blue Gum Tennis Club.
Royal Kings Park Tennis Club
New to League this season
Captain: Jake Robinson
After a year off, Royal Kings Park return to the men’s State League competition and will fancy themselves to compete with the best. After playing and coaching with Royal Kings Park for a number of years, Jake Robinson is back at his home club after a year with Peppermint Grove. He is joined by WA Open Men’s winner Hans Bustiman who comes into the season in form. Hans has been a regular number one seed in past State League season’s and has moved from UWA Tennis Club. Another key move sees Luka Vujacic move across from Peppermint Grove. Vujacic is another up and coming player who has found form this winter and will have a big role to play this season.
UWA Tennis Club
2023/24 Finish: 4th
Captain: Alfonso Calderon
The 2024/25 season will be interesting for the UWA side with multiple changes and moves to their squad over the off-season. Alfonso Calderon will take the reins of captain and will be joined in the side by Chris Lawrence. The excitement will come from the younger players with UWA juniors Archie Brown, Lachlan Ivulich and Benjamin Galvao all playing their first season of State League after playing Division One last season.
With matches starting on Friday, all matches throughout the State League season will be live streamed on Streamer.com.au
Round One Fixtures:
MEN’S
Friday 18 October, 6.00 pm
UWA v Mt Lawley/Sorrento at UWA Tennis Club
Saturday 19 October, 1.00 pm
Royal Kings Park v Peppermint Grove Royal Kings Park Tennis Club
Cottesloe v Alexander Park at Cottesloe Tennis Club
WOMEN’S
Friday 18 October, 6.00 pm
Hensman Park v Royal Kings Park at Hensman Park Tennis Club
Saturday 19 October, 1.00 pm
Dalkeith v Peppermint Grove at Dalkeith Tennis Club
Alexander Park v Cottesloe at Alexander Park Tennis Club
Men’s State League: https://matchcentre.tennis.com.au/divisions/50963
Women’s State League: https://matchcentre.tennis.com.au/divisions/50962
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