The 4th Te Anau Tennis Invitational featured eight of New Zealand's top male players, with prize money of $20,500 - $8000 to the winner - at the two-day tournament (28/29 December) played in brilliant weather.
While it was previously sponsored by a Te Anau restaurant the La Dolce Vita event, it is now the Distinction Hotels Te Anau Tennis Invitational.
Auckland’s Marcus Daniell met New Zealand’s No 1 Rubin Statham in the final of the Te Anau Invitational. Runner-up Marcus had to settle for $5000 after losing to Statham 6-1 6-4.
Statham was back after a one year absence, after taking the title in 2014-2015, while defending champion Michael Venus was unable to return to defend his title.
With $20,000 of prize money up for grab, it is the country's third richest tournament, behind the men's and women's ASB Classics.
Crowd numbers were up on previous years, with the second day numbers were expected to rise with the opportunity to watch the world No 105-ranked women's singles player Marina Erakovic in action. She was drawn south as her coach, former junior Wimbledon player Wesley Whitehouse, was competing in the Te Anau men's draw.
Erakovic made her appearance in a mixed doubles exhibition match with Whitehouse against Winton’s Emilia Price and Queenstown coach and former Wimbledon doubles quarterfinalist Lan Bale.
Money raised from the Te Anau Tennis Invitational goes back into the sport in the town.
The junior players receive subsidised coaching, which has helped to boost the number of club members. Te Anau’s first full-time professional tennis coach, Danny Baleson from South Africa, arrived for the 2015-2016 season.
The Te Anau Tennis Club now has over 100 members, which is impressive for a town of just 2000 residents.
They have squeezed in some extra tables this year, to take it to a total of 20. and there is always plenty of standing room for those who show up on the day for the event.
That's not all. The local tennis community helps the event to run smoothly including catering for the corporate facilities on offer during the two-day event.
- Julie Walls
