By Jonty Ralphsmith
Bunyip Tennis Club will host the now annual Ace Classic tournament from 25-27 January.
The inaugural tournament was taken out by semi-professional Australian Josh Charlton in 2024, with the club hopeful the tournament will again attract a competitive field.
The field of players in 2024 is set to be expanded with entry expected to swell, the winner to pocket $2500 and the runner-up to get $1000, while the semi finalists and quarterfinalists will also receive prize money.
There will also be a doubles tournament in 2024 for the first time, increasing the entertainment on offer.
A feature of the tournament is its priority of players, with all the cash revenue generated by the Ace Classic going back out to competing players.
Several competitors spoken to by Pakenham Gazette at the 2024 edition spoke glowingly of how the tournament organisers facilitated an excellent experience.
“We’ll be building on what we did last year in terms of the quality of the tennis,” West Gippsland Tennis Association president Chris Millidonis said.
“At this stage, our marketing has been a lot better so we’ll go one step better in terms of the spectacle.”
The viewing experience has been enhanced from 2024, with a pavilion installed to allow indoor viewing of centre court, and a country market will also be run concurrently to the tournament, allowing local businesses to capitalise on the visitors.
There is also expected to be an excellent atmosphere, with the tournament already receiving a groundswell of support from players, sponsors and supporters alike.
“Players want to play high quality tennis against good players,” Millidonis said.
“This is an opportunity for lower tier players to play higher tier players and not everyone gets the opportunity to do that so there’s a few things that make this the perfect storm for different types of players.
“Locals will challenge themselves against the best and touring players come for the prize money.”
