Tennis
2 December, 2024
Youngster's enjoy Alicia Molik Cup
Wimmera Regional Tennis sent four players to the Alicia Molik Cup for the under-12s, held at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club on Saturday, November 30, and Sunday, December 1.
The matches on Saturday were rained out, so they played shorter sets on Sunday to get through the matches.
In round one, they lost to PTA 0-6. The scores were: Nicholas Gillespie lost to Toni Sridharan 0-4; Nixon Beattie lost to Sammy Gibson 0-4; Sienna Nitschke lost to Grace Janjua 0-4; Ava Smith lost to Elyse Cerquaglia 0-4; Nicholas Gillespie, Sienna Nitschke lost to Toni Sridharan, Grace Janjua 1-4; Nixon Beattie, Ava Smith lost to Sammy Gibson, Elyse Cerquaglia 0-4.
In round two, they lost to ERT 0-6. The scores were: Nicholas Gillespie lost to Chris Manton 0-4; Nixon Beattie lost to Xavier Monda 0-4; Sienna Nitschke lost to Emily Guo 0-4; Ava Smith lost to Millie Batoni 0-4; Nicholas Gillespie, Sienna Nitschke lost to Chris Manton, Emily Guo 0-4; Nixon Beattie, Ava Smith lost to Xavier Monda, Millie Batoni 0-4.
In round three, they lost to Central Gippsland 2-4. Nixon Beattie in the singles and Sienna Nitschke and Nicholas Gillespie in the doubles won their respective sets.
The scores were: Nicholas Gillespie lost to Henry Grattan 2-4; Nixon Beattie def Oliver Stephenson 4-0; Sienna Nitschke lost to Madison Van Den Broek 2-4; Ava Smith lost to Hannah Harper 0-4; Nicholas Gillespie, Sienna Nitschke def Henry Grattan, Madison Van Den Broek 5-3; Nicholas Beattie, Ava Smith lost to Oliver Stephenson, Hannah Harper 0-4.
Sara Smith was the team manager, and Brendan Nitschke, the regional coordinator, said they played their hearts out and loved the opportunity.
"They were playing against some of the best kids in the country, and some are destined for a professional career, so it was pretty stiff competition," Nitschke said.
"The stronger regions are more consistent, hit a deeper ball, and are talented and well drilled.
"Our kids are happy, and all came out with smiles. They have a go and enjoy themselves, which is the main thing.
"They are always first to be complimented on good sportsmanship and love having a go.
"They are happy to be there and don't come off and drop their heads. They are realistic, knowing they are up against city kids.
"Our kids will catch up if they keep playing, and most will because they enjoy it. There's no end goal. They all want to play tennis for life.
"They will learn a lot from playing the other kids, what they are doing, and how they play tennis, which will help them immensely as they develop."