Tennis on a high ahead of ILT Southland Open

An historic win over Otago has caused a bit of a stir in the Southland tennis community ahead of the ILT Southland Open at the end of this month.

Any win in any sport over the old foe is something to be celebrated, but last month’s tense tussle in Dunedin was believed to be the first over Otago in four decades.

It doesn’t get much closer than the final result either, with the two division one teams locked together 6-6 and Southland winning 17-15 on countback.

Making the win all the more special, although no one was aware of it at the time, was that it was tennis stalwart Pete White’s final game as team coach before being forced to step down due to illness.

White, who has been struck a cruel blow after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, really valued the incredible team that came together over the second round tie in Dunedin.

Photo: Southland No 1 Shaylee Syme. Pic: Nathan Burdon

“From my perspective I was proud and honored to be involved in this wonderful team environment,” he said.

Southland comfortably accounted for North Otago 11-1, but after the gruelling tie against Otago, Southern Lakes proved to be a bridge to far with Southland going down 2-10.

The round one meeting in Timaru ended in a three-way tie at the top of the table, with Southland suffering a 5-7 loss to Otago in the Saturday morning round, a slightly surprising 7-5 win over a weakened Southern Lakes team, and a 7-5 win over North Otago.

The Southland senior team is enjoying a playing depth that the province hasn’t matched for some time.

Photo: Southland division one player Claudia Smith. Pic: Nathan Burdon

Having Sky Lovill and Shaylee Syme (top ranked juniors in United States and New Zealand respectively, and now both coaching Southland youngsters) as genuine No 1 players for Southland means the other division one players are better suited in their positions to compete for wins.

Balfour’s Craig Collins, and recent addition to Southland tennis Adele Orangi, have brought valuable expertise to the team, particularly in doubles.

The other players who competed for the division one team during this season are all Southland born-and-bred, having all participated at Southern level as juniors.

In fact, Halle Faherty, Emma White, Tim Willans and Finn Holden are all still competing as juniors.

With the help of Syme, Tennis Southland has been running Monday Senior Hit Outs in Invercargill all season.

Up to 12 of Southland’s best competitive players come together every week and are enjoying a variety of hitting sessions rather than using match play for practice. The players are bonding and the positive culture at this level continues to build.

Photo: Southland division one player Josh Cochrane. Pic: Nathan Burdon

The ILT Southland Open is being played at the Waihopai Tennis Club in Invercargill on March 28 and 29.

Tennis Southland is anticipating a good turnout of local players due to the end of season timing, along with players from out of the region seeking quality match play opportunities.

Although it’s been a soggy tennis season, this is a chance for the public to come along and experience top tennis in their backyard with singles, doubles and mixed doubles on the menu.

The newly upgraded Waihopai Tennis Club is a fantastic venue to host the Open as it’s where large numbers of spectators can picnic on the grass and have an enjoyable experience.