The Fed Cup coming to Wollongong is already producing a win for local tennis stars such as Renee McBryde.
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Renee, 18, was only three when Australia last played a Fed Cup tie in Wollongong but now she is our 39th ranked women’s player and not too far off being considered for selection herself. And having Tennis NSW and Wollongong City Council investing in resurfacing four courts at Wollongong Tennis Club is a boost to her career.
Renee already competes nationally and internationally and having the new surface means she and other local players can more regularly train and play on similar surfaces to Australia’s top ranked professionals.
Renee said it is also likely to attract more international tennis to the city. “It is incredible opportunity. Wollongong has hosted pro tournament events before”.
The four courts are being resurfaced for the Aussie and Dutch teams to train on in the lead up to the two day Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Play-Off at WIN Entertainment Centre on April 21 and 22.
Tennis NSW president Wayne Pascoe said both teams will probably be in Wollongong from about the 18th preparing for the international tie that is likely to create further opportunities for the city and region. He said the Tennis NSW board will also meet in Wollongong on April 20 and stay the night to attend the first day.
“We have practice courts for the Fed Cup but the legacy is Wollongong will actually have courts that will allow the centre to have international tennis events which it hasn’t had for a couple of years. And we want more professional players from Wollongong. There are not many clubs like this in NSW. It is a great club to hold events at. I think there is a master plan in with council for this precinct. So we are looking forward to see continued investment into the club.”
The four courts will have the same blue non-cushioned acrylic surface the international teams will play on at the WEC. Preparation is already underway for the new $80,000 surface being funded 50/50 by council and Tennis Australia.
Wollongong Tennis Club vice president Paul Heininger said it was a huge help financially and a great investment in the future of local tennis.
Two-day ticket packages for the tie are now on sale via Ticketmaster. Adult prices start at $72, concessions $64, juniors $15 and family passes are $159.
Fed Cup by BNP Paribas is the World Cup of Tennis.
It is the largest annual international team competition in women’s sport, with 98 nations entered in 2018.
The Wollongong tie is significant because a win by Australia will see it break back into Fed Cup World Group for the first time since 2015.
Only eight of the 98 nations entered get to be ranked in the world group.
So a big vocal Wollongong crowd at the WEC on April 21 and 22 will be able to help cheer the best female players in Australia on to the highest level to have a chance of winning the overall Fed Cup title for the first time in over four decades.
Destination Wollongong and Destination NSW have been involved in helping to secure the Fed Cup for Wollongong.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
