A staple of Shepparton’s Easter festivities is getting set to raise the bat this weekend.
Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club will welcome in a big celebration for its Annual Centenary Easter Tennis Tournament, bringing up triple figures for the iconic showcase.
The response from players has been more than fitting for the occasion, with registrations closing barely 36 hours after launch and more than 600 names listed.
The centenary event runs across the Easter weekend, drawing in participants from across Victoria and well beyond.
Though the tournament brings up its 100th edition this year, Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club itself boasts an even deeper history, having been founded in 1883.
Tournament organiser Malcolm Thiel paid homage to the tournament’s glittering lineage.
“The actual champions of this tournament are littered with amazing names, even back to the early days,” Thiel said.
“You had names like Paul McNamee and Neil Fraser long ago, right up to Alex de Minaur winning in 2015.
“A lot of the names link to different stories as well; there’s a lot of great history throughout the tournament.”
So much so, in fact, that the club is releasing a centenary book on the weekend to commemorate the tournament’s illustrious history.
From a more recent standpoint though, local hope and 2023 winner Olivia Quigley will suit up in the Open women’s draw to try and keep her hot streak alive at recent Shepparton tournaments.
Sam Thompson looks to repeat last year’s success in the Open men’s bracket as its top seed.
Perennial Goulburn Murray Lawn Tennis Association force Eliza Bingham — a former five-time winner — is ranked number one on the women’s side.
To say the fields around them are swelling with quality would be a grand understatement though — bursting at the seams is more apt.
“I’m a bit blown away by the support provided to this tournament,” Thiel said.
“We’re at about 655 entries, which is well above capacity. We’ve taken a few extras since then, and there are even more on the waiting list.
“A lot of organisation has gone into it and it’s a special event in the club’s history.
“We’re going to try our hardest to accommodate most people and there will be a lot of social activities over that time as well.
“The weather looks good for the first three days and hopefully the rain stays away for Monday.’’
Amongst the unexpected groundswell of support for such a special occasion, there are hopes of squeezing in the massive tally of entrants by moving start times forward.
While the club has yet to issue any proclamations, the tournament draw is subject to change as organisers scramble to fit as many in as possible.
“It’s going to be a great event,” Thiel said.