The Millenium3 Tennis Seniors NSW State Championships

 
played at Eastwood Thornleigh Tennis Association courts, Pennant Hills

Our Secretary was a very busy man, taking almost 260 entries, some of which came in after the deadline.  This would be a challenge for match scheduling, but Max coped well, ably assisted by his two "Girl Fridays" – Pam Kilborn and Yvonne Bryant on the tournament desk.

The decision to hold the event at Pennant Hills proved a popular one, and the "Bar Tent" was a HIT, being a social gathering site for many players and spectators alike. Visitors came from far and wide, and we had a few current and former players and friends visit for a day or two, even though they didn’t play this year.

A very energetic band of ladies and gents from the Eastwood/Thornleigh Tennis Association provided a sensational array of delicious food, including an excellent range of high quality sandwiches, cakes, slices and fruit salad. Barbecued steak and sausage sandwiches even made the menu! These people generously gave their time and energy in the kitchen, the barbie or the "Bar" to keep us "fed and watered" for the four days. (With the exception that the licence didn’t start until Saturday! - Bad luck if you were desperate for booze on Day 1! Luckily, Di, Wanda & friends were somehow able to find their way to the pub up the road for the refreshments they were craving!!)

Interstate visitors were everywhere! International guests numbered 2 – Murthy, from India and Felicity from "across the ditch" in NZ. Thanks to both of them for coming!         

In the Men’s Singles there were 144 entries, comprised of: NSW 117; QLD 11, VIC 11, SA 2, ACT 2 and TAS 1; the biggest of these events, being the 65+ with 24 players. But where are all the Ladies? Are we naturally outnumbered by the men in society? Doubtful. Hmmm, we need to put on our thinking caps and come up with an answer. Why won’t they play Singles? The grand total of ladies: 26. Many more entered Doubles events, thankfully, and they were well contested.

The sensation on Monday was caused in the 55/60/65 WD – where three pairs finished on the same total, after an exciting match between Kerry Ballard and Mary Gordon vs Helen Worland and Adrienne Avis, which went 9/7 to Ady and Helen. It had to go to percentages, and the "nod" for first place went to Carol Campling and Heather Barwick, with Kerry Ballard and Mary Gordon second. It was decided to present all six players with a trophy (wine glass), for such a fantastic contest.

Brendan Siau provided a mobile massage service, which had to be relocated in the small clubhouse down near courts 2 and 3 after the wind blew down his gazebo. Many tired bodies were rejuvenated by his expert care and attention.

Café 2U was available for all types of coffee and hot chocolate at a reasonable price. They were delicious!

We were "honoured" by the presence of several 2007 World Champions, Bruce Osborne (VIC), Wayne Pascoe (NSW) – winners of the 50+ Doubles in Turkey, 55+ WD winners, Kerry Ballard and Liz Allan would have been a pair – (except that Liz had to withdraw through injury), Andrew Rae (VIC), 55s Singles Champ and World 55+ Number 1. World 45+ Women’s Number 2, Brenda Foster appeared in the Winners’ circle (winning the 35/40/45 Singles, and teaming with Natalie Cutcliffe in the Doubles (after both their partners withdrew), to take the Winners’ prize. She was beaten for the triple crown, however, in the Mixed (with Kerry Dock), by Craig Bullivant and Yvonne Stanton, in a fantastic match under lights.

A few of the top seeds "bowed out" before reaching the finals. Paul Kleverlaan in the 35s was defeated in a dour struggle with #3 seed Trevor Holt (NSW), who then took the title, defeating #2 seed Chris O’Mara (VIC), in an action-packed 3-setter. In the 40+, #1 Craig Edwards was defeated in the semi, by Victorian Dean Ellis, who then beat fellow-Victorian Dom Gambaro in the final. #1 seed in the 45s, Simon Arms, the current Australian titleholder, defeated Tony Golding in the semi, and then added to his repertoire by defeating SA’s Vladimir Ejov in straight sets. Vlad had been very pleased to defeat NSW Eric Handbury, the #2 seed in a three-set tussle (Eric’s first match, after two walkovers.)

A star-studded field in the 50s saw Wayne Pascoe prove his supremacy, by defeating his World Doubles partner, Bruce Osborne in one semi, with 55s World Champion Andrew Rae defeating Stephen Whitecross (QLD) in the other. An exciting Final went 7/6 7/6 to Wayne, who then teamed with Bruce, to take out the 50 Doubles against Mike Phillips and Andrew Rae.

Terry Smith (VIC) was victorious in the 55+, having beaten Steve Redknap 6/1 6/4 in the semi, and then going on to defeat a disappointed Mike Clayton, 6/2 6/1. ("I can play better than that.") The 60s was hotly contested, with any number of players deserving of a seeding. Top seed Alan Walsh was ousted in the semis by ACT’s Phil Higgs, and QLD’s Lee Taylor disposed of Don McIndoe in emphatic fashion, to reach the final. Taylor led 6/0 1/0, before Higgs decided it was time to move, and then after losing the second set Tie-breaker, Lee rallied to take the third set in yet another Tie breaker. The selectors got it right in the 65s, with Bruce Burns (#1) meeting Bob Howes (#2) in the final. Even though Bob had lost in the Nationals to Bruce, he played superior tennis this time around to reverse the result which gained the win, after a tough first set, in windy conditions, 7/6 – he powered through the second, to take the title.

Another huge entry in the 70s, and #1 and #2 seeds fought out the Final, a selector’s dream. The "two Ians – King and Macdonald, who had met in the QLD event only a few months ago, again faced each other to gain supremacy. The result, Ian King, in straight sets. Fitness was not an issue for the 75+ semi-finalists, who "hogged the court" for hours, to secure a place in the Final.  Adrian Alle (QLD) took out the talented 80 year old Doug Corbett, and Bert Barwick defeated John McCarthy, to contest yet another Singles Final. This time, there was a huge "fitness issue" – with both men struggling to reach each other’s drop shots. It was a "cliff hanger," in which Bert held on to win 6/4 3/6 5/1 ret.

Brenda Foster, World #2 in 45s took out the Combined 35/40/45 WS, defeating Fairlie Lamond (VIC) in fine style. Former World Doubles titleholder, and local Parramatta district representative, Kaye Nealon, had a superb win in the 50s, in very trying windy conditions, by defeating Helen Webb, from Wagga Wagga, 6/2 6/1. Surprises all ‘round in the Women’s 55/60/65s, with #1 and #2 seeds eliminated in the semis. Carol Campling lost to Kerry Ballard; and reigning Australian 55s Champion, Helen Worland went down to her friend and team mate, Adrienne Avis in three sets. So the final was between the two friends from childhood, Kerry and Adrienne. Adrienne started magnificently, taking the first set 6/2, but then faded disappointingly, going down in three sets. Congratulations to Kerry who has really worked on her Singles game.

Round Robin format for the Doubles meant plenty of tennis, and play continued in Women’s, Men’s and Mixed Doubles well into the night on Saturday and Sunday. Maybe a change for next year is necessary, as the demand for courts to schedule the countless number of matches is something of an organiser’s nightmare. The players seemed happy as they took to the courts and then retired to the bar at the end of play to act out the best part of Seniors’ tennis – the social side. We didn’t hear anyone say they are not coming back next year, so watch out! What a weekend that will be, at Pennant Hills again. Any good ideas from members will be gladly received, in order to improve the running of the event.