Star players to be on show as Geraldton Easter Tournament returns

The next big thing in WA tennis could be uncovered this weekend as the Geraldton Easter Tournament returns.

The Geraldton Easter open is one of the oldest tournaments in WA and has been running for the past 85 years but had to be cancelled last year because of COVID.

The tournament itself has a prestigious history hosting many of the State’s top players including recent Australian Open doubles champion Jason Kubler in 2018 and Casey Dellacqua in 2005 as well as the Patten brothers.

Brett Patten, who now serves as the CEO of Tennis West, said it was one of the best tournaments in the State.

“When I last played and won in 2012 it was a platinum Australian money tournament with the highest prize money and Australian ranking points on offer at the time,” he said.

“It’s great to see the Easter tournament back in what has traditionally been one of the strongest and most participated tournaments in the State.

“All the best players that ever came from WA have won the tournament and after a couple of years of COVID we are looking to build player numbers up throughout the regions which will help.”

The event is also open to amateurs with all standards of players welcome with brackets graded on playing ability and age with organiser Danny Bowen hoping to appeal more to local players.

“We’re putting more of an emphasis on the socially competitive aspect, a lot of local players don’t join because they’re a bit intimidated by it,” he said.

“But it should be a fun weekend where matches are scheduled to allow players time to relax and enjoy each other’s company.”

The tournament starts on Friday, April 7 at the Geraldton Tennis Club on Eighth Street at 1pm with the mixed doubles events.

Junior events and the men’s and women’s singles and doubles events will be run on Saturday, April 8 and Sunday, April 9.

There are also events to cater for the 40 and over players and entries are coming in slowly.

Anyone interested in entering should contact the club or go online at tournaments.tennis.com.au.