While the world’s top players were slugging it out on courts in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne throughout January, local juniors Cooper Wilkinson, Aaron Osmond, Mia Wilkinson, Shaylee Martin, Nathan Moore and Anna Bishop were fighting their own battles on a two-week tournament tour of Victoria.
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Gunnedah Tennis Club coach Dale Martin accompanied the group and was very pleased with the results.
"What was unique about the three tournaments was that they were all played on natural grass which was a great experience,” he said.
“It’s hard to find natural grass courts anywhere these days because of the high cost of maintenance. Once grass was the main surface for the Grand Slam tournaments and there was a lot around – even in Australia.
“The kids had to really adjust their game to the conditions and it made them adapt and think more about their footwork. Some of the facilities were amazing with Wodonga, for example, having 52 courts in the one complex."
The first tournament the group played was the Goulburn Valley Championships in Shepparton where Cooper made the quarter finals of the 14 and under singles. Then, Cooper and Aaron lost in the semi finals – 4-6 7-6 10-8 – of the 14 and under boys doubles to the eventual winners in one of the matches of the tournament.
Cooper then had to leave the tour on representative duties with NSW in Adelaide.
A highlight was Shaylee making the 16 and under girls doubles final in her first grass court tournament.
The group then travelled to Albury for the prestigious Margaret Court Cup where they were joined by 11-year-old Anna who is a member of the Louis Tennis Academy.
Aaron and Anna played on grass for the first time and reached the final of the 15 and under mixed event.
Both backed up the combined effort to make the last eight of the singles in their respective age groups – something coach Martin called a great effort.
"To make the quarter finals in this tournament was an outstanding effort. This is one of the toughest tournaments on the Eastern seaboard,” he said.
Shaylee again made it through to quarter finals of the 14 and under doubles while Nathan Moore played outstanding tennis to win three matches in qualifying in a field of 78 players in the 12 and under boys singles.
The group didn't have far to travel for their next tournament – just across the Murray River to Wodonga for the Victorian Junior Grass Court Championships.
Both Shaylee and Anna made semi finals of doubles and Anna also won five matches to win the main draw consolation.
But the outstanding performance of the tournament came from Aaron, who was runner up in the 14 and under boys doubles and fifth in the 14 and under boys singles from a field of 65 players.
Coach Martin summed up the tour: "The group really enjoyed themselves and learnt so much. I was very happy how they supported each other on and off the court."
