Melbourne VIC, Australia, 24 November 2014 | Tennis Victoria

Dingley Dingoes

Pre Season Ranking 2

Super Round: Round 1 – Friday 28th November @ 6:30pm

The 2013 ATL Vic Conference finalist will be looking to go one better this year with the recruitment and signing of major drawcard Sam Groth, who has had a breakout year on the ATP Pro circuit highlighted with a career high ATP singles ranking of 75 in November 2014, and selection in the Australian Davis Cup team. The Dingoes have significant depth highlighted by the inclusion of 2013 Star Performance Award winner James Lemke at number 2 and former Australian Davis Cup player Joe Sirianni at number 3.

Player Spotlight:

Sam Groth

Highest ATP Ranking 75 (November 2014) Australian Ranking: 5 (October 2014)

Groth holds the record for the fastest serve in the world clocked at 263km/h. His power serve and game is ideally suited to the FAST4 format. Groth is a major drawcard for the league and the Dingoes quest to earn a spot at the ATL Playoffs.

Kooyong Classics

Pre Season Ranking 1

The 2013 ATL Vic Conference champions are again well placed to earn another shot at the ATL Playoffs at the Australian Open in January 2015.The Classics squad oozes class, highlighted by ATP Pro circuit players Andrew Whittington, Rubin Statham and John Peers and backed up by the unheralded pair of Daniel Byrnes and 2013 Star Performance Award Squad member Andrew Coehlo, who will be tough to beat in the lower singles positions.

Player Spotlight:

Rubin Statham

Highest ATP Ranking: 279 (February 2013)

Statham was the catalyst for propelling the Classics to 2013 champions and was a member of the 2013 Star Performance Squad. Statham is a competitive beast and his results in the pivotal number 1 singles rubbers will go a long way to determining the fate of the 2014 Classics team’s chances of defending their title.

Royal South Yarras

Pre Season Ranking 3

Super Round: Round 3 – Friday 5th December @ 6:30pm

The Yarras have recruited heavily in the off season and look like a legitimate chance of upstaging some of the more highly fancied rivals. Bolstered by the inclusion of ATP Pro circuit players Luke Saville, Alex Bolt and Dane Propoggia, they are certain to be in the mix and a danger round for their opponents.

Player Spotlight:

Luke Saville

Highest AR: 8 (September 2014)

Saville is a key weapon for the Yarras after crossing over from the Taipans as a major signing. Saville is a former junior world No.1 and winner of both the 2011 Wimbledon boys’ singles title and the 2012 Australian Open boys’ singles title.

Tasmania Devils 

Pre Season Ranking 6

Super Round: Round 4- Sunday 7th December @12:45pm

The Tasmania Devils will make history with their debut in the 2014 Conference, adding a new element to the league. The Devils have an exciting blend of home grown talent in the rising Harry Bourchier and experienced former Australian Davis Cup player Richard Fromberg.

Player Spotlight:

Harry Bourchier

Highest AR: 34 (October 2014)

The Devils will be hoping 18 year old Bourchier is able to rise to the occasion in representing his home state in their debut season. Bourchier is a fierce competitor and will thrive on the spotlight as the team’s number 1 player and playing against a mix of other up and coming Australian stars.

Tennis World Taipans 

Pre Season Ranking 4

Recent US Open boys’ singles and doubles title winner Omar Jasika, Blake Mott and current Australian Davis Cup team member Chris Guccione headline a formidable outfit and look to be the big improvers and the real wildcard team of this year’s league. Watch this space as the Taipans look the real deal in 2014 with their blend of youth and experience.

Player Spotlight:

Omar Jasika

Highest AR – 32 (October 2014)

Jasika is a player on the rise both nationally and internationally, making his first ITF final in Cairns, he is in red hot form and will come out with all guns blazing in his bid to lift the Taipans team to the Final.

Waverley Warriors

Pre Season Ranking 5

Super Round: Round 5 – Friday 12th November @ 6:30pm

The Warriors enjoyed a stellar 2013 ATL Vic Conference finishing in 3rd place and relished their underdog tag in many matches against more fancied teams. This year, watch for the Warriors led by captain Aaron Leeder-Chard and Daniel Ferretti to go under the radar of opposition teams and try to repeat the heroics of their 2013 ATL campaign.

Player Spotlight:

Aaron Leeder-Chard

Highest AR – 46 (March 2013)

Leeder-Chard epitomises the Waverley mascot name as the true “Warrior” and team captain. Aaron’s game is highly suited to the power shortened FAST4 format and was a major reason in the fairytale success of the Warriors in finishing in 3rd place in last year’s ATL.