Hosted on April 2-5 by Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club, tournament manager Steve Longworth is bracing for a bumper turnout due to last year’s cancellation driving numbers through the roof.
“The mood is very positive at the moment, it’s all very exciting as we are 100 per cent full entries-wise,” Longworth said.
“We have over 500 signed up, which is our best participation for quite a few years.
“I think after having the year off, people are pretty keen to get back on the grass once again.”
The Welsford St courts are in prime condition for the first serve on Friday and will reach a fever pitch when finals arrive on Monday.
Often dubbed the birth site for stardom, names such as Alex de Minaur and Romana Mataruga have lit up Shepparton’s premier grass tops in tournaments past.
This year Eliza Long will have her sights set on a fourth straight Cheryl Cottrell gong in the women’s singles championship.
Back-to-back Maurie Rowland’s Trophy honours are on the cards for Joshua Tran, who returns to defend his men’s singles title.
“There are six entries in the women’s singles; there will be a round-robin with finals on the Monday,” Longworth said.
“Our men’s singles numbers are the best in some time, we have 46 entrants with good representation of former winners.”
As the club’s major fundraiser for the year, a $10,000 prize pool spread across 44 events is up for grabs.
Longworth said all grades tended to be “exceptionally well supported”, and after the event was axed in 2020, he assured COVID-safe practices would be enforced to make sure it goes off without a hitch.
“Contactless payment is preferred and signing in is required,’ he said.
“There will also be country-style breakfasts in the mornings, catering throughout the day and a raffle on the Sunday evening.”
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