By Tara Murray
Hume Tennis and Community Centre is stepping in the unknown by fielding a team in the Tennis Victoria Premier League women’s competition for the first time.
The exciting move will see the club’s players facing some of the biggest names in Victorian tennis.
Lisa Whybourn, a former world No.250, is one of Hume’s coaches and is captaining the side.
Whyhourn, who qualified for Wimbeldon in 2013, retired from professional tennis in 2017 due to injury.
She said the Hume move was a great opportunity to have a side in the competition and bring top players to Craigieburn.
She said they didn’t take any expectations into the season.
“It is great opportunity for everyone to watch some great tennis,” she said.
“To bring more tennis to the region is good – most of the teams are the other side of the river
“We played pennant over the winter and made the semi-finals. A couple of players were interested in playing, so we got a side together.”
Photo Gallery: Hume Tennis and Community Centre vs Liston
Among the opponents the side will face are former world No.4 Jelena Dokic and some of Australia’s current players on the international circuit, such as Destanee Aiava, Jamie Fourlis, Jess Moore, Ellen Perez.
The other sides in the competition are Kooyong, Royal South, Beaumaris, Glen Iris and Williamstown-based Liston.
Joining Whybourn in the Hume side are Katy Dunne from England and Julia Kimmelman from germany.
They will team up with up-and-coming 16-year-olds Amy Stevens and Leann Serna.
Local rising star Olivia Symons, who at just 14 has a national junior top 10 ranking, rounds out the squad.
Whybourn said Kimmelman was the side’s No.1 player and and there was interest in seeing what she could do after a few injury-riddled years.
After winning in round one, Hume had two rounds on the weekend.
The second round of the weekend was played at the Craigieburn facility.
On Friday night, Hume lost to MCG Glen Iris Valley 5-11-76 to 1-3-58.
On Sunday, Hume lost to Liston 5-10-69 to 1-3-44.
