On Saturday, June 8 Michael Levy was able to claim the Benalla Singles 2024 title over up-and-coming youngster Patrick Neilson.
Levy entered the best-of-three-set final with many years of experience over the 2024 Benalla Junior Champion.
The experience, no doubt, made the difference in the result.
Neilson surprised his opponent early with his dogged determination and ability to get Levy’s heavier hitting back consistently.
To the small crowd’s surprise, Patrick led the first set 4-2, making any match result seem possible.
Levy hit the ball cleanly but missed too many lines early. He focused on better placement to get back into the match.
Levy indicated that “I didn’t actually start that poorly.
All the credit should go to Neilson.
I was actually worried but, at the same time, proud of Patrick early in the match.
His standard was super high, and he showed how well he could play in a big match.
I went in pretty confident, but quickly became genuinely nervous.”
The experienced player won several games in a row late in the first set, turning the match around.
Once confident, Levy was able to win most of the important points throughout the rest of the match.
But it was by no means easy, with Neilson playing some brilliant tennis.
Levy maintained his level, defeating the younger player 6-4, 6-0 to win the match.
Levy tribute the match to his mother, Erin, who succumbed to complications related to a severe vasculitis condition just hours after the match was completed.
“Mum had been unconscious since some time Friday, unfortunately. I was sure about playing.
We knew we would lose her. But I wanted to play for her. Mum and Dad were the ones that allowed me to get into tennis.
Dad built me a tennis court at our Warrenbayne home, and I used to drag Mum on the court and make her play me. She was a great mum.
A social butterfly. Who will rest in peace now.”
In the day's earlier match. Ron Evans prevailed in the plate final for 3rd place.
Evans played brilliantly to beat Greg Murphy 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) in a match between the two veterans.
Murphy, a brilliant competitor, surprised everyone with his performance throughout the championship.
He had only had a small amount of exposure to championship singles tennis previously, but he won several matches and was only beaten by a high level of tennis from Evans on the day.
Benalla Gardens Tennis Club will now start planning for an even bigger 2025 Benalla Singles Championships.
The 2025 Championships will be for any Benalla and district singles player who is able to compete at an intermediate to advanced level.
Categories will include Juniors (u/19), Seniors (+55), Women’s Open and Men’s Open.
Next year’s tournaments are scheduled to move back to early autumn.