Crockett is competing against top New Zealand tennis players Alistair Hunt and Stephen Downes as part of an exhibition square off, when he will partner South African and top-ranked domestic player Wesley Whitehouse, an Auckland-based professional.
Crockett said he got a late call up to partner Whitehouse, who himself only confirmed his availability for the Wanaka Tennis Club centennial exhibition match this week.
"I wasn't really expecting to play, but am looking forward to pitting myself again the Kiwis,'' he said.
The Brisbane-raised professional tennis coach has lived in Wanaka for the past three summers, where he has been responsible for training an increasing number of young tennis hopefuls.
However, Crockett has also played his way to the top of the Southern region's tennis rankings since he moved to Central Otago in 2005, and "fortuitously'' stumbled across the coaching job in Wanaka.
The 28-year-old has won a hat trick of Otago Open doubles titles since he first entered in the 2005-06 season, when he also won the singles championships.
He has been the beaten singles finalist for the past two years, but has gone on to represent the region at the New Zealand nationals, making the quarterfinals in all his appearances.
However, Crockett's focus is on unleashing his strong serve against his scheduled opponent for tomorrow's exhibition match, Stephen Downes.
Crockett and Whitehouse, a former Wimbledon junior winner, are playing Hunt and Downes in a "mini'' Davis Cup tie format, without the reverse singles matches.
"I'm hoping some of the kids I coach will be here to watch. Most of them haven't seen me in a match before and I reckon they probably think all I ever do is coach, and can't actually play,'' he joked.
Crockett has been busy in the lead-up to tomorrow's centenary celebration, trying to source international players for the exhibition match. He is a former training partner of Australian great Pat Rafter.
He tried unsuccessfully to get the back-to-back US Open winner to visit Wanaka.
The exhibition matches start at 1pm when the club's junior players take to the court. The tri-nations rubber starts at 1.30pm, with a dinner and charity auction afterwards.
