By Jonty Ralphsmith
Pakenham has defended its Midweek Ladies crown in the West Gippsland Tennis Association by defeating Officer in the grand final last Wednesday.
Melinda Motta, Helen Hart, Jan Seabrook and Sarah Marshall won four of the six sets for Pakenham, and nabbed 42 games to 22.
Pakenham has been the benchmark team all season, finishing first in the home and away season before a flawless finals run.
ASSOCIATION JUNIOR PENNANT
The Berwick District Tennis Association (BDTA) Under-12 Girls team won the Association Junior Pennant (AJP) competition last month.
Sargun Kaur Dhillon, Megan Rato, Bhavani Krishnaa, Imelda Rongoni and Sophia Rutherford were rewarded for a standout season in a competition critical to the tennis pathway.
Meanwhile, the BDTA 10-under mixed team made up of Harshini Purushothaman, Annika Shankar, Ivy Du, Tejas Singh, Haresh Purushothaman and Ayce Millidonis came runner-up.
AJP provides high-level competition for aspiring junior players.
The league is age-based, with those selected to represent their associations competing against their peers across a 10-week season.
Teams play two doubles rubbers and four singles rubbers, with the top two teams progressing to the grand final.
The grand final was washed out, with the BDTA finishing on top of the table and therefore declared victors.
PLAYER Q and A
AYCE MILLIDONIS
What do you enjoy about tennis?
The competitiveness and how hard you have to work to get good.
Why did you start playing?
I enjoy playing and it really gets my competitive instincts going…and Dad is a coach.
Best tennis memory?
Winning my first tournament.
What do you enjoy about playing in the AJP?
Making friendships and playing against other kids at my level.
How has your tennis improved since you started?
It has allowed me to work on parts of my game like topspin and certain racquet grips for certain shots.
ANNIKA SHANKAR
What do you enjoy about tennis?
I like connecting with friends and trying my best in all the matches.
Why did you start playing?
I started playing tennis to keep healthy and active and to have fun.
Best tennis memory?
My favourite tennis memory is winning my section 9 premiers because it was my first ever year of competitive tennis and I got to play alongside my friends.
What do you enjoy about playing in the AJP?
It helps to improve my tennis and compete against a variety of players.
How has your tennis improved since you started?
When I started playing tennis, I didn’t know any of the basic shots and I would let the ball bounce many times before hitting it but now I am able to hit volleys, serves and topspin and backspin on groundstrokes.
IVY DU
What do you enjoy about tennis?
Connecting with other players and building friendships; playing competition; learning from others.
Why did you start playing?
I had myopia when I was 6. My parents think playing an outdoor sport will help me control it so they enrolled me and I liked it.
Best tennis memory?
Playing in the Super 10 program; winning the premiership in section 12; AJP; watching Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka play the Australian Open last year.
What do you enjoy about playing in the AJP?
Meeting new people and winning games.
How has your tennis improved since you started?
My serve has improved greatly; I can add spin to balls, my tactics, mentality and footwork are all better.
TEJAS SINGH
What do you enjoy about tennis?
I like playing competitive tennis especially in challenging environments.
Why did you start playing?
I started playing because Dad put me in tennis, then I started really liking it!
Best tennis memory?
In AJP against Frankston, I won a point on the net which was almost impossible to win. I thought that day that I can get anywhere on the court.
What do you enjoy about playing in the AJP?
Competitions are even more competitive as you play different players all the time.
How has your tennis improved since you started?
I never had any spin and had a tap serve when I started. But now, I can put spin on all shots, I have a fast first serve and spin second serve and am continuously improving.
HARESH PURUSHOTHAMAN
What do you enjoy about tennis?
I like playing the game.
Why did you start playing?
To have fun and be the best.
Best tennis memory?
When I got the Most Valuable Player award and trophy.
What do you enjoy about playing in the AJP?
Getting better and handling challenges.
How has your tennis improved since you started?
My forehand and backhand have improved.
HARSHINI PURUSHOTHAMAN
What do you enjoy about tennis?
I like training, learning and trying my best to win.
Why did you start playing?
I started playing because I thought it was a good game to keep trying and it can improve my fitness.
Best tennis memory?
When I was little, I would throw tennis balls and we hit them without brushing up.
What do you enjoy about playing in the AJP?
I like to compete, that way you can see where to improve and where you can get better.
How has your tennis improved since you started?
I have improved my serves, forehand and backhand a lot.
