WHEN Tristan Schoolkate visited Swan Hill two years ago, it would have been with a racquet in hand and a big dream in his heart.
Then 21 years of age, Schoolkate was the winning top seed of the first ITF ProTour event held at Swan Hill’s lawn tennis courts.
In a giant leap, Schoolkate took to Rod Laver Arena last Thursday to face off against world number 1 Jannick Sinner in the Australian Open in front of a packed stadium and thousands of viewers worldwide.
In a surprising start, Perth born Schoolkate came out in blistering form and won the first set 6-4 after breaking Sinner’s serve.
It was the first set Italian born Sinner had lost since early October last year.
Ranked 173 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Schoolkate was unable to maintain his lead and Sinner closed the game out after four sets in two hours and 46 minutes.
Swan Hill Tennis Club president Christian Devlin said the club was chuffed to see Schoolkate on the big stage of Australian tennis.
“We started holding the tournament two years ago and the club was excited to see one of our past winners playing the world number 1,” he said.
“He played here twice, and won twice, and it really shows the calibre of players our courts are capable of drawing.”
Swan Hill’s lawn court complex is the largest outside of Wimbledon and has received worldwide accolades for the quality of the surfaces.
Devlin said other players such as World number 1 junior Emerson Jones and women’s top 100 player Olivia Gadecki had also played in Swan Hill.
“The tournament is an important stepping stone for players wanting to receive a ranking as they head into professional tennis,” he said.
“It’s a great chance for our juniors to see these quality players playing on our home courts.
“It’s really exciting to be walking around with class players and then when they go on and do amazing things, there’s a sense of being part of the journey.”
While Schoolkate drew a difficult opponent and bowed out of the open, Jones and Gadecki’s campaigns continue.
Sixteen-year-old Jones was beaten in the women’s tournament on Friday but remains a favourite in the juniors.
She will also play mixed doubles with brother Hayden.
Gadecki bowed out of her singles campaign in round 1, but her chances are still alive in the women’s and mixed doubles.
Swan Hill Tennis and Croquet Club has since held the tournament a second time and is recognised as an important step for young grassroots players looking to make the crossing into professional tennis.
