Masters to take on junior stars at tennis tournament

A WORLD champion tennis player will take on the next generation of junior talent from the Northern Rivers and south-east Queensland at the Ballina New Year Open.

Hundreds of competitors are expected to take part in the four-day tournament at Ballina Tennis Club, starting on Friday, January 2.

Lismore product Brendon Moore returns to the open men’s competition for the first time in several years.

Moore represents Australia on the world masters circuit, where he is currently the top-ranked player after winning multiple gold medals.

The 40-year-old also coaches at Tweed Heads and will bring junior players from his Moore Tennis Academy to the tournament.

Ballina coach Stephen Gort, who has competed in the event several times, runs the Northern Rivers Tennis Academy.

Most of the local junior entries will come through Gort’s academy.

“It’s a great opportunity to see some of the better players up close,” Ballina Tennis Club member Nial Ridge said.

“It’s also a bit of a fundraiser for the tennis club, and our volunteers like to get involved and help out wherever they can.

“Steve does a great job coaching and taking the kids away for tournaments, and one of our juniors is in the top 20 for his age division.”

Tweed Heads teenager Matilda Daniel did not drop a set on her way to becoming the youngest women’s winner in the history of the competition last year.

Mullumbimby’s Marielou Baudouin won the title the previous year before going on to play college tennis in the United States on scholarship.

This year’s tournament will be played across 11 courts in Ballina, with Alstonville Tennis Club also hosting some matches.

Most junior players compete in multiple divisions and can play several matches over the four days.

“They spend a lot of time on the court and it’s a really busy couple of days,” Ridge said.

“Cherry Street Sports Club also chips in with discounted accommodation at its motel, so it’s a real community tournament.”

Finals for the open men’s and women’s events are expected to be played on the morning of the final day, followed by a short presentation with a short presentation to follow.