THE 95th Euroa Lawn Tennis Tournament has come to a close, leaving a lasting impression on participants and the local community.
With nearly 700 players and over 1,200 sets played over three action-packed days, this year’s event once again highlighted the extraordinary talent and camaraderie that the tournament has become renowned for.
Tournament manager Bob Furphy, along with the dedicated volunteers, worked tirelessly to ensure that the event ran smoothly.
Reflecting on the weekend, Bob said it had been a 'fantastic' weekend.
"It all came together seamlessly," Bob said.
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"And we were able to present a great event across all areas.
"The court surfaces were highly regarded, and I have to give credit to our grounds staff and volunteers, especially given the extra work needed on the oval this year.”
Despite the sunny conditions presenting a challenge, the ground crew rose to the occasion.
“Our catering volunteers did an outstanding job, with a lovely dinner presented on Sunday night.
"We’re particularly proud of the fact that we stuck to schedule again this year."
Matches were called within 15 minutes of their scheduled times, a feat that’s not often matched by other tournaments.
"To put that in perspective, we played over 1,200 sets over three days,” Bob said.
This year’s tournament reached full capacity in record time, with 700 players taking to the courts.
“We were at maximum capacity again, as we were last year, but with a slight increase in numbers.
"The event is essentially a closed shop—we fill all our spots with returning players and club members before offering any places to the public.
"Amazingly, the event was fully subscribed within four hours of taking entries, which is a record for the tournament.”
The weather didn’t provide any major disruptions, with the new trees still maturing and the heat being more manageable than the previous year.
“We had plenty of marquees set up around the venue, which helped provide some relief.
"But it wasn’t as hot as last year, which was a blessing.”
In the competitive matches, James Hartson triumphed in the men’s Open singles, defeating Alex Scrutton in a repeat of last year’s semi-final.
Meanwhile, Elly Hartnett reversed last year’s result by defeating Philippa Bush in the women’s final.
Bob was thrilled with the high standard of play, saying the open singles players were of an 'exceptionally' high standard.
"And that standard improved again this year.
"The men’s draw had a lot of interest, with many vying for one of the 32 spots.
"The women’s draw also expanded to a round of 16—our largest number ever.”
He also acknowledged the increasing strength of the juniors.
“Another notable trend is the growing success of our juniors in the adult draws, with good numbers coming through at the under-10 level.
"It’s exciting to see the next generation stepping up.”
Looking ahead, Bob is already focused on maintaining the high standards of the event, with planning for 2026 to start early.
“We’re right on the edge of capacity now, and a lot of work goes into covering all the bases.
"We want to maintain the high standards we’ve set while continuing to grow the event.”
While the 95th anniversary wasn’t marked with any special celebrations, Bob’s eyes are already set on the 100th.
“This is our major source of operating capital for the year," he said.
"It helps fund everything from our day-to-day operations to occasional facility improvements."
The community’s support, especially from local businesses, played a vital role in the success of the tournament, with increased patronage at many local sponsors.
The opening ceremony was graced by Annabelle Cleeland, the local state member, who said it was a privilege to open the weekend.
"This is one of the largest and most prestigious tennis tournaments in Victoria," Ms Cleeland said.
"With 670 players taking to the courts this weekend, we are celebrating 95 years of this incredible event.
"It is a tournament that not only showcases exceptional tennis but also embodies the spirit of our community.”
Annabelle also acknowledged the tournament’s national recognition.
“In 2022, this event was recognised on the national stage, winning the John Newcombe Award for Best Professional Tournament in Australia of the Year—an extraordinary achievement and a reflection of the hard work and dedication behind the scenes.”
Ms Cleeland also highlighted the tournament’s broader impact.
“This is more than just a tennis competition; it is the largest sporting event in our region, attracting thousands of people to Euroa every year.
"It brings life to our town, supports local businesses, and highlights everything we love about country sport—community, competition, and camaraderie.”
She also took a moment to thank the 57 volunteers and those who contribute throughout the year.
"This tournament is entirely volunteer-run, and your dedication is what makes it such a success.”
The Euroa Lawn Tennis Tournament once again has proven to be an extraordinary blend of athletic excellence and community spirit.
The countdown to the 100th anniversary now begins, with high hopes for an even bigger celebration in 2026.
