12 February 2026 | Tennis Victoria

For Luke Missen, Tennis Victoria Country Week is more than just a tournament, it’s a return to his country roots, a celebration of community, and an opportunity to showcase the skill that has made him one of Victoria’s highest-performing Para-standing tennis athletes.

When talking about his team for this year’s Country Week he explained, “we’re a bit of a mixed bag from various areas, particularly around northern Victoria, but I come from East Gippsland, Bairnsdale. So I’m very excited to be here for my first Country Week,” Luke says.

Luke’s tennis journey has been lifelong. “I’ve been playing tennis for my whole life. It’s my sport that I played growing up, I played tennis and basketball. But I suppose I just enjoy playing the sport and taking any opportunity that comes my way, but also love getting back to playing with my friends and mates back home.”

Over recent years,  Luke has been competing all across the country and world at some of the highest levels of Para-standing tennis.

Yet despite his elite performance, Luke’s heart remains in country tennis. “So playing country tennis is, you know, in my heart. It also feels very fitting to be here at Country Week considering I’m from the country myself”.

This year, the greater Gippsland region is well-represented, sending the highest number of teams to Country Week, highlighting the region’s deep tennis culture. “Country Week, brings everyone together from all over, from all abilities and, and all levels, getting out there, having fun, socially competing and having a good time,” Luke says.

He relishes the opportunity to play on grass and in the summer heat, noting the unique experience of country competition. “Everyone getting out and having a go playing on the grass is something that I really enjoy. I don’t get to play on grass courts too much back at home. And I think playing in the summer in the heat is something unique that the sport brings and I really enjoy it.”

Luke’s Country Week team spans generations, reflecting the intergenerational nature of country tennis. “So I suppose I bring the average of my age, my team down a little bit”, he jokes. “But they’ve been playing for many, many years, so we we laugh and joke about the age gap, but I mean, that doesn’t make any difference at all. I’ve heard there’s very good players that are still playing here who are 60-70 or even 80 years and old. So yeah, age doesn’t make any difference here.”

The connections within the Gippsland region and broader country tennis networks are a major draw for Luke. “Tennis is such a tight sort of network. There’s many sorts of connections, particularly in the country. And, and so you’re walking past someone and you’re already making sort of a mutual connection. And so I think that naturally what tennis does, especially in the country, and that’s what it’s all about for me”.

For Luke, his goals this Country Week are simple: compete, enjoy, and support his teammates. “The goals for this tournament are to have as much fun as we can and support each other. But from my perspective, I’ve always wanted to play Country Week, so my priority is to enjoy it as much as I can. He also shares that “the team has been very welcoming for me and we all have a laugh and that sort of thing.”