2009 Australian Tennis Seniors 35+ Championships – Adelaide

Seniors and Super Seniors assembled in Adelaide for the first week of competition in the Australian Tennis Seniors’ Championships. It promised to be a challenging week in more ways than one. The forecast was for 41 degrees on Tuesday. This was “spot-on”! Two sessions were shortened and one was abandoned.

Too hot to play... South Park, Tuesday 13th January, 2009

Players were relieved when a change came through and temps from Wed to Friday were much lower. Competition was fierce, but camaraderie was everywhere. Teams would gather for a friendly drink and a chat at the end of the match, almost without exception. One memorable match on Thursday featured the 50+ men (SA vs NSW) with SA leading 6-3 in the final set Tie Breaker. The NSW guys reeled off 5 points straight to take the set and the match! In a sporting gesture, although the Final match was set down for Friday, the NSW Captain agreed to have it brought forward to enable the match to be played. The VICs were prepared to forfeit as they had to return to Melbourne for a funeral on Friday. It was much appreciated, and the VICs won the match.

There is still some controversy surrounding the format, whether the teams should be re-grouped after the first round in order to create a Finals’ draw. Some players have expressed a wish to play each team twice with the winner being the “first past the post”. This is in contradiction to the decision made by the states two years ago, where “Finals” were requested.

In the Individuals, most of the Men’s and Women’s Doubles as well as the Mixed were finalised on Thursday, allowing the players to catch the Singles action on Friday.

35Men’s Singles was won by newcomer Brett Patten (WA) with Paul Kleverlaan (VIC) partnering him to take the Doubles title as well. The 40s was fought out by long-time rivals Chris O’Mara (QLD) and Rino Traforti (SA) with Rino taking it out in three sets. Chris must have enticed Glenn Busby to a challenge (coming back 10 years), and they won the Doubles, from Mal Pearson and Michael Smyth 6/3 6/3.

Simon Arms was too strong for Bruce Ferguson in the 45s, and the 50s was won by World #1 Glenn Busby, by the same score 6/2 6/4, against Stephen Whitecross. Bruce then played with Simon in the Doubles, which they won against a determined pair in Dom Gambaro and Martin Warwick, 6/3 5/7 6/1. Andrew Rae and Wayne Pascoe were too strong for Steve Ormerod and Kym Sladden (SA), winning 6/2 6/3

Gary Thoroughgood (NSW), in his first encounter with Andrew Rae (World #1 in the 55s) made a solid bid for the title, going down 7/6 6/4. Gary teamed with John Burness (QLD) to take the Doubles from Max Bates and Russell Watts in fine style, 6/3 6/3.
Terry Smith proved his superiority in the 60s with an emphatic victory over WA’s Alan Gooch, 6/1 6/1. It was unfortunate for WA’s Lito Alvarez and Peter Rigg (Lito injured his back), as they had to forfeit the 60Doubles to Alan Gooch and Henry Michael, (also WA).

Peter Keller (only seeded 5, due to lack of ITF points in the 65s) proved too strong for Phil Higgs, winning 6/1 7/5. Peter then teamed up with Maurie Broom to win a tight Final 7/6 7/6 over QLD’s Lee Taylor and Terry McLellan.   Peter Keller (VIC) Phil Higgs (ACT)

The 70s was won by ‘evergreen’ Bob Howes over SA’s Bruce Rehn 6/2 6/1. Together, these two guys defeated NSW pair Ian King and Tony Harkin 6/2 6/1.

Visiting once again from USA, John Powless proved too strong in the 75s for NSW John O’Brien, 6/2 6/2. The Doubles featured Graham Brown and Alan Hocking (QLD), who had a struggle against Norm Coventry (SA) and Claude Wenzel (QLD), 7/6 6/7 6/3.

The two octogenarians, back from playing sensational tennis in Turkey, Ward Hillier and Nev Halligan both took out their events, Ward defeating Alan Bailey who has just moved to Tassie, and Neville defeating Mal Howard who had beaten him once in their Round Robin. Sweet revenge? The 80 Doubles went to Doug Corbett (NSW) and Ward Hillier (VIC) who proved too strong for Mal Howard and Trevor Horwood 6/2 6/3. Ward Hillier (VIC) Alan Bailey (TAS)

Now for the Ladies!

35s was won by Louise Stacy (SA), who defeated Juliann Jacobsen (NSW) 6/0 6/3. Doubles competition was 35/40 which went to WA pair Lisa Brannan and Donna Blackwell who defeated QLD’s Charmaine Nixon and Karen Pearce. In the 40WS, Stephanie Asprey (unseeded) played beautifully, to win 6/1 6/2 against #2 seed, Carolyn Campbell (NSW). The 45s was a 5-player R/R in which Brenda Foster (NSW) emerged the winner, without losing a match, with Victorian Kerrie Douglas 2nd. Brenda paired with Helen Webb to take the 45/50 WD against two Victorian livewires, Wanda Clothier and Fairlie Lamond. Ros Balodis, World 50s Champion, proved too strong for Felicity Oxnevad (NZ) who displayed great spirit, winning 6/0 6/3. #1 seed Helen Worland (NSW) in the 55s, prevailed over Wendy Gilchrist (QLD), to take the title 6/2 5/7 6/2. Making it a Double, Helen Worland partnered Sue Walter to secure the Doubles as well, in a tight finish, against Wendy Gilchrist and Jan Johns (QLD) 5/7 6/3 7/6.

In the 60s, Kerry Ballard and Carol Campling had great match, the score – 7/6 4/6 6/3 to Kerry. Another ‘double’ went to Kerry, who took out the 60WD with Liz Allan, defeating Carol once again, who partnered Margaret Wayte, the score – 4/6 6/4 6/1.

Heather McKay proved too good on the day to defeat Margaret Wayte, 6/4 7/6 in the 65s. Doubles went to Heather McKay and Jill Taylor who defeated WA’s Pam Brand and Helen Muir, 6/3 7/6.     Heather McKay (ACT) Margaret Wayte (NSW)

A very determined Mary Gordon took out the 70s against Nola Collins, who was nursing an injury, 6/2 6/1. Previously, Nola, with Lesley Heumiller had proved too strong in the R/Robin for Mary and her partner Pat Clark, to take the Doubles 3 wins to 2.

ITF World Champion and #1 in the 75s, Margaret Robinson was a formidable opponent for the injured Shirley Whitaker, taking the title 6-1 1-0 ret. The Doubles went to Margaret and Peg Hoysted, who won against Shirley Whitaker and Wilma Fitz-Gerald (VIC), 6/3 6/2.

Four Combined age Men’s Doubles including 120, 130, 140 and 150, saw the players producing some classy tennis with Mick Bruton and Gary Thoroughgood defending their title in the 120s. Kevin Anderson and Noel Cheshire (QLD) took out the 130s in straight sets, and in the 140s, Bob Gorman and Doug Kessell, (NSW) returning from a few years’ absence, defeated Victorians Maurie Broom and Ward Hillier 6/4 7/5. In the 150s NSW players Ray Reay and Norm Richardson took QLD’s Graham Brown and Alan Hocking to three sets, emerging victorious 6/4 in the third.

For a second year running, Narelle Follington and Martin Richards took out the 35XD, while a win in the 40s to Chris O’Mara and Brenda Foster gave Brenda a ‘treble’. Another ‘treble’ went to Andrew Rae, since he took injured Bruce Osborne’s place in the 45XD and was victorious with Kerrie Douglas. Overseas guests from NZ, Peter Hampton and Felicity Oxnevad were too strong for last year’s winners in the 50s, Ros Balodis and Colin Holgate (ACT), taking the title 7/5 6/3. It was a second doubles win to Sue Walter, who with Russell Hart defeated the Worlands, 6/1 6/2. For an eleventh victory in Mixed Doubles, Carol Campling and Don McIndoe lost only two games against Ray and Meg West (QLD).

In the 65XD, Bruce Burns and Margaret Wayte have ‘lost count’ – taking another one, against Henry Michael and Wendy Weir (WA). Self-confessed Mixed specialist Don Biddle paired with Nola Collins to edge out John Davis and Lesley Heumiller in a close 3-setter. Doug Corbett helped Margaret Robinson achieve the ‘treble’ with a win in the 75Mixed, defeating Kerry and June Burke 3 wins to 2. Henry Michael, Wendy Weir, (WA) Margaret Wayte, Bruce Burns (NSW)

CONSOLATION winners were:
M45 Michael Smyth [VIC] d Hugh O’Brien [NSW]
M50/55 John Burness [QLD] d Michael Trait 2/6 7/5 6/2
M60 John McDonald [SA] d Noel Cheshire [QLD] 7/6 6/2
M65 Peter Dawe [SA] d Don Burgess [SA]
M70/75 Tony Flood [VIC] d Cam Dezarnaulds [NSW]
W40 Karen Pearce [QLD]
W65 Mary Gormly [ACT]

Thanks to superb weather, great management and excellent courts, the tournament was completed in good time, allowing the presentations to go ahead at the scheduled time of 3pm, at South Park Headquarters. Afterwards, the TSA national flag was ceremoniously handed over to John Walker (QLD) and delicious savoury foods were available for all to enjoy. A great finish to a very successful week.

TSA National flag being handed over to Qld President John Walker

 

Robyn Castle, Publicity