Ten-aughty: Numurkah champion clinches 10th singles title as players beat the heat at 95th annual tournament

Tournament director Nick Ludington said although numbers were down, the event had good support from across the region and was well received by players.

“It was a great effort by the committee,” Ludington said.

“Everyone commented on the condition of the courts, so well done to our superintendent Matt Campbell and his team.

“Overall, numbers were a bit down, but (that) was to be expected.”

Local champion Nick Fenaughty was not dissuaded by the conditions, notching his 10th A-grade singles title at the popular event.

Fenaughty has faltered only once since 2015 and, this time, the Numurkah Warriors star overcame Goulburn Murray Lawn Tennis Association teammate Jack Forde in the A-grade final 6-2, a gallant Forde progressing after a marathon round-robin stage.

“A-grade had a marathon pool in one of the round-robins,” Ludington said.

“There were three players and they each beat each other 6-5. They literally had to play another five-point tiebreaker each.

“Jack Forde got through that group and then he had to play Nick Fenaughty, who was waiting for two hours.

“Nick's made it, I think, 10 tournament wins now – just a class above. He’s probably the best player Numurkah’s ever seen, to be honest.”

In the women’s singles A-grade final, Tess Bassett made it a Warriors sweep of the A-grade singles with a 6-1 victory over Ella Forde, though the Forde siblings didn’t leave empty-handed after combining for a win in the A-grade mixed doubles.

Lorenzo Rigoli and Mark Mills teamed up to defeat Fenaughty and Mitch Jones in the A-grade doubles, as Kelly Crosier and Yvette Ambrosini triumphed in the women’s A-grade edition.

Through the junior ranks, the Daniel sisters, Lucy (under-16) and Stefanie (under-14), took out their respective competitions, while Mitch Daniel took out the under-16 boys’ gong.

Michael Romano took out the under-12 boys title and was runner-up in B-grade to Mooroopna’s Rowan Ratcliffe, impressing across seven sets for the day.

Overall, it was another successful event for the club, though Ludington hinted at what he hopes is a bigger tournament next year as the time-honoured tennis extravaganza edges towards its centenary.

“We’re looking at doing a revamp next year,” he said.

“The committee, headed by Elliot Small and myself, are going to try and have a real crack at attracting more players and getting it back to where it used to be.”