Savannah James has taken out the Ladies Open Championship at the Benalla Lawn Tennis Club’s annual tournament for the past two years. Photo: Supplied.
The Benalla Lawn Tennis and Croquet’s annual tournament has been part of the local sporting scene for nearly a century, fitting in well with all the tennis action around the country in the lead-up to the first Grand Slam of the season, the Australian Open in Melbourne.
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This year’s tournament will be the club’s ninety-ninth and will be held over three days, commencing on Friday, January 3, with singles action. According to club president David O’Donoghue, all abilities will be catered for, with Open, A-grade, B-grade and C-grade sections, as well as various junior sections.
The finals of the open ladies’ and men’s will be held at 5pm on Saturday, January 4, and Mr. O’Donoghue urged locals to come down to the courts and witness some great tennis action at no cost. Saturday will also see men’s and ladies’ doubles action and on Sunday it will be mixed doubles.
Mr O’Donoghue said locals were more than welcome to join the 150 players from all over Australia competing in the tournament. The 24 lawn courts are in pristine condition and the weather is simply superb at this time of the year.
Entry is online by visiting https://tournaments.tennis.com.au or to the Benalla Lawn Tennis Club website.
During the tournament players and spectators will have the opportunity to purchase tickets in the club’s major raffle. First prize is a double pass to the men’s final of the Australian Open, valued at $1400. Second prize is a double pass to the ladies’ final, valued at $700.
There are also numerous minor prizes, including ground passes to the early rounds of the Australian Open. Locals can also purchase their tickets at Benalla Sportspower.
