The 45th ACT Seniors Tennis Tournament was held over the Easter long weekend at the Canberra Tennis Centre. All the players were extremely happy with the new clay courts, with most people requesting to play on them. In future years, the new clay surface will attract players to the event prior to heading overseas. Tournament Director Pat Moloney said the feedback on the venue was fantastic “The new courts were the winners. The favourable comments received should ensure a bigger tournament next year”.
There was some great competition in the men’s singles with four players winning their matches in straight sets and three winning in 3 set battles. The new courts provided some long matches, in particular for past world champion, Andrew Rae. Andrew won the MS 50 after 9 hours on court during his 3 matches. Narelle Raftery had a dominant weekend, winning the singles, doubles, and mixed.
Two international players played the tournament. Isabel le Gemmel from Germany and Felix Mangunpratomo from Indonesia. Felix played last year and hopefully will be back next year as he coming to Canberra. He partnered Canberra local Tim Harris in the doubles and came runner up in the M55D.
Craig Withell, a winner of the Men’s 60+ Singles, is an ex Canberra player who moved to Sydney in the late eighties. It was an interesting final as Craig and Rick Genge are brothers-in-law. Other Canberra players who performed strongly over the weekend including Colin Holgate who won the Men’s 60+ doubles and Mixed 55+. John Stark was runner up in the Men’s 65+ singles, while May Howard and Leonie Ainsworth were runners up in the 60+ doubles. May also made the final of the 55+ Mixed doubles.
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