By LIAM TWOMEY
MEMBERS of the Delahey Tennis Club are preparing to go head-to-head with some of the best players in the country.
The club will be fielding a women’s team in the 2013 Asia Pacific Tennis League.
The winner of each state conference throughout the Asia Pacific Region will take part in the final at Melbourne Park during the Australian Open.
Delahey head coach Geoff Guy said the club was excited to be competing in the high calibre event.
“It is going to be a great experience and we are looking forward to it,” he said.
“It is going to be a challenge to get to the finals but all the players are really keen. Those who do play will enjoy it and get a lot of experience out of it.”
The ATL is broken into a super-round format with all matches played at the same venue each week.
The format also includes a number of changes to the traditional tennis rules including sets to four games, a sudden-death point at deuce, play on after a service let and shortened breaks at the change of ends.
All new rules are designed to keep play moving and exciting for spectators.
Due to upgrades to its own facility, Delahey will host its round at the Green Gully Tennis Club on Saturday 23 November.
Guy said it would be great to have some of the best players in the country playing in the area.
“We are going to try and get most of our coaching pupils over there on the day and get them to watch these players,” he said.
“It will be a great chance for them to see just how good some of these players are and give them something to aspire towards.
“We hope to have a big crowd when we host it and it will be a great day for people to be able to see great tennis and not have to travel to Melbourne Park or somewhere like that.”
Entry in the Asia Pacific Tennis League continues what has been an outstanding run of success for Delahey.
Earlier this year the club took out the Tennis Victoria Premier League and Grade One Pennant titles in the women’s division.
