Melbourne VIC, Australia, 30 November 2013 | Tennis Australia
Conference has concluded with a sensational Finals Day held at the new state of the art National Tennis Centre.
With masses in attendance to see the stable of star players in action, clubs locked horns to battle it out for a spot at the ATL Playoffs.
In the men’s final the Kooyong Classics defeated the gallant Dingley Dingoes. The Classics were outstanding and the depth of talent and class in their squad was simply to much for the Dingoes. Rubin Statham was outstanding in defeating James Lemke in the vital number 1 rubber and the ever reliant Andrew Coehlo and Marc Polmans also posted strong rubber wins. The Dingoes journey however to the big time will not stop here and they are again expected to be a major force in 2014.
In the women’s final the RSY Royals caused a boil over in defeating the previous undefeated Kooyong Classics in the tightest of matches. Both teams were split on 3 rubbers each and 7 sets, but the Royals saluted by 3 games. The RSY Royals the number 1 rated pre-season team in Australia had been building strong momentum leading into the final, but due to the strength and form of the Classics headed into the match as underdogs.
The match ups in each rubber were a spectators dream with Classics Arina Rodionava defeating Royals Tammi Patterson. The Royals star recruit Storm Sanders however kept the Royals dreams alive with a strong rubber win against Sally Peers.
The match after the completed singles rubbers stood at 2 all, but the barnstorming Royals doubles due of Storm Sanders and Samantha Harris winning 4-1, 4-0 over Sally Peers and Kate Antosik was enough to secure the Royals the title, despite the other Classics doubles duo Arina Rodionova and Ellen Perez winning 4-3,4-0 over the Royals pair of Patterson and Hadzick 4-3,4-1.
Tennis Victoria Competitions Manager Jeff Downes couldn’t contain his excitement at the success of the Vic conference “What a brilliant 20 day storm of tennis we have had. The embracing of the league by the players and clubs this year has been a pleasure to witness first hand. Today was a fitting finale and certainly one of the best days of the year on the Victorian tennis calendar. The depth of talent in our winning teams is enormous and certainly they will represent Victoria well at the playoffs and we are confident of the ultimate success for our clubs in being crowned Playoff champions in January”.
Another highlight of the day was the connection to Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation with all players, officials and ball kids wearing the striking rainbow shoelaces, showcasing the Victorian tennis communities commitment to this wonderful charity foundation.
