Local hot shots get top tennis op

A GROUP of 10 up and coming tennis players had the opportunity to mix it up with the world’s best at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Players from the JV Tennis Academy on the Surf Coast participated in the AO Hot Shots program last week.

The children, aged from 5 to 10, were able to play up to 30 minutes of tennis on an Australian Open court before the first match of the day.

One of the local players then had the opportunity to toss the coin at the start of the match.

Alongside a parent, the children were then able to stay for the day and watch some world class tennis and experience all of what the Australian Open has to offer.

Head coach and director of JV Tennis Academy Jackson Varney said it was a wonderful opportunity for local players to further their skills.

“I guess it’s a similar opportunity for players as Auskickers would get at half time of a game at the MCG.

“They had a really good match to have a hit before. Jakub Mensik who got to the fourth round was on court against Rafael Jodar.

“The players got to high-five the professionals, and then one of our little girls got to do the toss and take home the Australian Open coin.

“We were thrilled to pick a great group who just love their tennis and would eat it up, and they did.”