Tennis
28 March, 2025
de Minaur home in thriller
Perfect weather conditions for tennis greeted players and spectators on Saturday morning for the season ending junior tennis grand final.
Both teams were feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement as they took to the courts for the final time this season.
Zac O’Connor and Sully Magee (Rafter) were up against Lenny and Milla Eldridge (de Minaur) in the number one and four doubles set. Zac and Sully combined well to win 6-4 after a tough contest. Zac and Lenny then played another epic set in the number one singles. The boys have been evenly matched all season, with plenty of hard hitting, great court coverage and good sportsmanship on display. A tie break was needed to decide the set, with Lenny just taking the honours for de Minaur 6-5 (7-3).
Rafter demonstrated they had come to play, winning three of the first four sets to grab an early lead. de Minaur settled and regrouped, winning the next two sets 6-1 to be right back in it.
The number two and four doubles set proved to be another ‘edge of your seat’ thriller. Tilly Barry and Sully Magee (Rafter) were tough opponents for Eljah Keam and Milla Eldridge (de Minaur). Long rallys, top volleys and ‘never give up’ attitudes were shown by all players. Another tie break was needed, with Rafter winning 6-5 (7-5).
Only one game separated the teams when the last two sets began. All players fought until the end, with parents and spectators impressed by the standard of tennis they had observed, as well as the encouragement and sportsmanship from everyone.
There can only be one winner of the Grand Final however, and today the winner was de Minaur, with 41 games to Rafter’s 38 games. It was a brilliant way to finish the season, with the two standout teams battling it out. All players are to be congratulated on their improvements throughout the season, as well as their skills and attitude during the grand final.
Junior Tennis will now have a break until October. Looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Anzac Park again then.
de Minaur 41 games def. Rafter 38 games.
Zac O’Connor, Sully Magee d Lenny & Milla Eldridge 6-4; Tilly Barry, Scarlett Mitchell d Eljah Keam, Evan George 6-0; Zac lost to Lenny 5-6 (3-7); Tilly d Eljah 6-2; Scarlett, Sully lost to Evan, Milla 1-6; Zac, Scarlett lost to Lenny, Evan 1-6; Tilly, Sully d Eljah, Milla 6-5 (7-5); Scarlett lost to Evan 3-6; Zac, Tilly lost Lenny, Eljah 4-6.
