With local competition on hiatus for the summer break, there has been plenty of tennis to watch, and still opportunities to play, no matter your level of play.
Geelong Lawn recently hosted their 2025 OC JC Tuff Lift Grasscourt Championships, with a field of over 200 entrants playing in 42 events. The offerings were across junior and open grades, with participants from across the state, as well as good local support.
Despite rain disrupting on day two, the event continued with some great tennis. Some of the notable winners for the locals were Sienna Clatworthy (A Grade Women), Troy Cairncross (C Grade Men), Domi Wang (10&U Girls), Azure Shih (12&U Boys) and Lachie Rae (15&U Boys).
Geelong Lawn will also be kicking off their Junior Community Series with their first monthly event this Sunday, with over 40 participants in eight graded groups. The events run the first Sunday of each month and the round robin series gives juniors a great chance to improve their match play against others at their own standard, outside of regular pennant.
There have been some incredibly hot days so far this month and Drysdale, who had the first Bellarine Masters and JC GBS South West event scheduled for January 18-19, were forced to postpone due to the ultra-high temperatures forecast for the weekend, for the safety of the young players. The event will be rescheduled, however, the series will continue with Point Lonsdale the host for 23rd February event.
Western Heights Uniting ran its usual School Holiday Junior tournament at the beginning of January, with almost 40 participants from Geelong and Melbourne, and some as far as the Yarra Valley.
The tournament was held over three days and for the first time included a doubles event. Unfortunately, the forecast for the weather on day one was for rain, but with rapid court sweeping, matches were able to start around 11.30 and despite one 10 minute delay after this, all matches were able to be completed.
The weather for days two and three was much improved and the level of tennis was high. Winners for the various sections were Jayden Cheng (10&U A), Archie Shih (18&UA), Selena Rosevelt (18&UB), Gaman Manganda and Ilan Im tied (18&UC), Matthew Evans (18&UD), Isabelle Feng (18&UE), Joziah Barron (18&UF) and Will Varszeghy (18&UC). The inaugural winners of the doubles were Louie Smith and Ellie McKenzie.
The next Western Heights event is during the Easter break on the weekend April 15-16.
All pennant competitions start or recommence over the next week, so things will soon be back in full swing, with Saturday competitors setting themselves up for the run to the finals starting in March.
