Wheelchair tennis back in action

Jin Woodman (13) from Sunbury. Photo by Damjan Janevski. 313674_01

Millicent Spencer

A big summer of tennis at the Hume Tennis and Community Centre in Craigieburn is underway.

The centre kicked-off its annual summer of fun, with the Victorian Wheelchair Tennis Open on Tuesday, with the event running through to Friday.

Most of the world’s best wheelchair players are playing in the event, including Australian star Heath Davidson.

Other stars on show include world number one and defending champions, Netherlands’ Diede De Groot and Japan’s Shingo Kunieda who will lead the women’s and men’s field respectively, and world quad world number one Niels Vink.

Several locals were in action on day one of the event, including Roxburgh Park’s Saalim Nasser, who is competing in the men’s wheelchair event, and Sunbury’s Jin Woodman, who is competing in the quad and the junior events.

Both suffered first up losses to more experienced opponents on day one.

The Melbourne Wheelchair Open will follow at the tennis centre from January 16-20.

As well as watching the tennis, there’s plenty of events for those coming along to catch the action.

The first week of the Australian Open will be screened on the big screen, while the centre is hosting a number of events, including a come and try day.

The centre will conclude its busy summer with the Hume Tennis Family Day on Sunday, February 13. The day will include free ANZ Hot Shots tennis for juniors, a new adult’s program and membership offers.

Details: www.facebook.com/HumeTC