Drysdale Tennis Club scores trip to Australian Open

Members from the Drysdale Tennis Club were invited by ANZ to experience a day out at this year’s Australian Open as part of its ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Community Play program on January 17.

Designed to help make tennis more accessible for children living in regional areas across Australia, the program’s sessions have been run by local volunteers since 2014.

Inviting Community Play clubs from regional Victoria to attend the Australian Open each summer, the associate partner of the event includes ground passes and travel costs per child. Club members from Drysdale Tennis Club excitedly met with ANZ tennis ambassador Dylan Alcott upon their arrival at Melbourne Park, setting the tone for a fun day out on the iconic blue hardcourts.

ANZ managing director of retail distribution Catriona Noble said the program was important to regional clubs as it continues to grow the sport at a grassroots level. “These clubs have shown great dedication to the sport and we’re thrilled to be able to invite them to enjoy the 2019 Australian Open,” she said.

ANZ Tennis Hot Shots is Tennis Australia’s official development program, with over 500,000 children between three and 12-years-old playing ANZ Tennis Hot Shots in 2017/18.

Tennis Australia chief executive officer and Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said the co-operation was delighted to welcome some of its ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Community Play clubs to Melbourne’s biggest tennis event.

“We are proud of the work these clubs do in their local communities to encourage more kids to pick up a racquet and play ANZ Tennis Hot Shots,” he said.

The 2019 Australian Open will come to a close on Sunday, January 27.