THE Mildura Lawn Tennis Club has bounced back at just the right time, according to president Aaron Wilkie, who believes all 36 courts will be ready for the National Junior Grasscourt Championships in January.
At the end of 2022, the club, which sits right next to the river, was left inundated with no timeline in place for its return.
Although it had been a slow process, Wilkie was relieved to say that the courts were now close to 100 per cent.
“I’d say they’re probably at about 90 per cent at the moment, a few dead spots here and there but quite a remarkable recovery given how long it was all underwater,” Wilkie said.
“We didn’t think the courts would bounce back this well, it’s a credit to our curator and all the volunteers who have helped out.
“We’re probably going to play on this weekend to get a bit of wear into them and make them play a little bit better.
“I think it’ll be a pretty good standard for those playing at the start of January.”
Wilkie said he expected hundreds of people to make their way to the club in early January for the event.
It will be the first time in over a decade that the under 14 and under 12 event will return to the facility.
“This is one of the bigger junior events in the country,” Wilkie said.
“Ash Barty did come up through the junior nationals here … James Duckworth, Nick Kyrgios have also played up here, you’ll definitely see some future talent.
“We have 128 players coming and they’re predicting that about 240 people total will make it to the region.
“There’s a lot of people, support staff and families that come in, so I guess it’ll bring a bit to the economy.
“It’ll just be really good to see everyone get down and support the club, have a drink and watch some good tennis.”
Although no local players will compete at the event, Wilkie said the club would appeal to gain a wild card entry for local player, Jack Burford.
The National Junior Grasscourt Championships is from January 2-6.
