Tennis Report

Melbourne Tennis Tour and Round 9 Tennis Report – St Ignatius’ College Riverview

Shore GPS Tennis Tour Hits Melbourne: A Smash Hit!

Greetings Shore tennis enthusiasts! We’re excited to bring you an exclusive inside look at the recent Shore GPS Tennis Tour to Melbourne during the school holidays. Ten talented students, accompanied by Mr Straney (MIC of Tennis) and Mr Anderson (Head Coach), embarked on a thrilling 6-day adventure filled with tennis, excitement, and unforgettable experiences.

The tour kicked off with intense morning training sessions at the prestigious Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club in South Yarra. For 4.5 hours each day, our boys honed their skills on the hur-tru green clay courts, soaking in the rich tennis legacy of this iconic venue.

As true tennis aficionados, the highlight of the trip was undoubtedly attending the Australian Open. The group witnessed the exhilarating final day of the Qualifiers, caught the first two days of the Open, and indulged in a night session at the renowned Margaret Court Arena. The night match featured a German showdown between Alexander Zverev and Dominik Koepfer, delivering an unforgettable display of skill and sportsmanship.

The boys also had some famous encounters with tennis royalty. From chance meetings at the Open to casual encounters on the streets of Melbourne, our students rubbed shoulders with stars like French sensation Richard Gasquet and the legendary Goran Ivanisevic, now coaching Novak Djokovic and many more.

Away from the courts, the boys had a blast exploring Melbourne’s vibrant city life. A highlight was navigating the CBD in an exhilarating Amazing Race. The tour also included friendly competitions in activities like bowling, laser tag, and an intense round of Putt Putt, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

In summary, the Shore GPS Tennis Tour to Melbourne was nothing short of amazing. It blended high-level tennis training with the excitement of the Australian Open, sprinkled with chance encounters with tennis stars and topped off with unforgettable adventures around the city. Our students returned not just as better tennis players but also as a tightly knit group with shared memories that will resonate for years to come. Here’s to more successful and thrilling tennis tours in the future!

Tennis Report Round 9

Firsts Report

Shore tennis started the year in dominant fashion, securing a flawless 9 – 0 victory against Riverview. The match featured a standout debut from Ari G, who partnered with Josh P to clinch a decisive 6 – 0, 6 – 1 win in doubles. Ari continued to impress in his singles debut, securing a convincing 6 – 4, 6 – 0 victory. His promising performance showcases the depth of individual talent and gives the team confidence for a strong finish to the season. Shore’s dominant display in doubles demonstrates the team’s cohesion and has been a major training focus by our team during the summer break. Our 9 – 0 triumph reinforces Shore’s early lead in the premiership competition, setting a positive tone for the season ahead.

Zachary L
Firsts Captain

Seconds Report

Last Saturday, in the first match of the new year, the Seconds played a new and improved Riverview side, in a well-mannered, dominant display, a testament to their continued training over the break, reclaiming the top of the ladder, putting them back on the bus to premiership city. Setting the tone for the day was a swift victory from dynamic duo Charlie M and George G, who, by adopting an aggressive serve and poach volley strategy, won their doubles decisively 6 – 2, 6 – 1, leaving no free points for their opposition. Next, new pairing Oliver D-K and Shore tennis veteran Ari C played a near flawless match, ‘volley winners galore’. Finally, Connor F showed his experience playing with a sore shoulder yet still hitting the most powerful forehands Shore tennis has ever seen, enabling him and Chris M a sound victory over the opposition. With all doubles won, the Seconds just had to capitalise on this lead. First up was Connor F, who led from the front in a comfortable victory 6 – 0, 6 – 1. Next was George G winning 6 – 1, 6 – 3. Followed by decisive wins by Charlie M, Oli D-K, Ari C and Chris M, the Seconds came out victorious.

As a team, we are starting to gel fantastically, with this chemistry enabling us to win the day 9 – 0. We hope to run the Seconds tennis bakery next week and to continue our display like this as the final matches approach.

Chris M
Seconds Captain

Open Thirds – Sixths Report

The Opens Tennis Squad displayed notable talent and spirit in a competitive fixture against Riverview. The Third IV started the year strongly with a dominant performance, winning 5 – 1. The Fourth IV played well and followed in a similar fashion, winning 5 – 1. The Fifth and Sixth IVs were less successful in their rounds, losing 2 – 4 and 1 – 5, respectively. The squad should be commended for their fine performances, considering the long break from tennis and immense heat. Special mention ought to be given to Max M for coming in as a last-minute replacement and Oliver C-B for a majestic performance in his dominant 6 – 0 singles win. Overall, it is a promising start to the year for the Opens squad and certainly a sign of more successful results in the coming weeks.

U16s Report

In a remarkable display of tennis prowess, Shore’s 16A and 16B teams secured convincing 6 – 0 victories against Saint Ignatius College. Not to be outdone, the C and D teams also shone brightly, securing impressive 6 – 1 wins in their matches. The players showcased exceptional skill, strategic play, and unwavering determination, highlighting Shore’s dominance on the tennis court. This triumph over Riverview emphasises the talent within Shore’s tennis, and solidifies their position in being one of the top tennis schools in the GPS.

Oliver M
U16 player

U15s Report

This week’s U15 game week was tough in a difficult away matchup against Riverview, which gave all the boys a difficult challenge with close matchups across the board. Whilst the As and Bs struggled to secure any major victories with close scorings in singles matches, the Cs and Ds excelled with consistent wins, particularly from the D squad with a standout game week, registering only one loss. Finally, in the Cs, a tension-packed match was played by Noah G, who secured a victory through a tiebreak, just edging his opponent. Good luck to the boys for next Saturday, and great work against Riverview!

Michal H
U15 player

U14s Report

In their first match after the holidays, the Shore U14s tennis team showcased their skills and spirit on the court against Riverview. Kicking things off, the doubles matches were a mix of nerve-wracking and strategic plays, with Allan Z and Hugo T ending in a whopping 6 – 2 victory. Singles matches followed, where Tom B won his game 6 – 1, and Zai C clinched his game 6 – 3, displaying impressive resilience and technique. Marcus C and Oliver C paired up to dominate their doubles match, pulling off a convincing 6 – 3 win. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly Henry J and Daniel W’s tiebreak triumph, pushing through to win 6 – 5 in a match that had everyone on the edge of their seats. This first outing was more than a series of matches; it was a testament to the team’s growth, sportsmanship, and the strong bonds formed between players, setting a promising tone for the season ahead.

Joshua L
U14 player