GRAND SLAM STARS: Miaka Barratt-Hassett experience the atmosphere of the Australian Open.

SATURDAY might have been ladies finals day at the Australian Open but it was also a special day for 16 junior players from Personal Best Tennis as they were selected for the first ever MLC Hot Shots Australian Open tourmanent.

This event was designed by Tennis Australia to encourage younger children to play as a team while experiencing the excitement of being in Melbourne at a grand slam event.

The North East players competed against players from some of Melbourne’s largest tennis academies in what was a great opportunity to learn and develop their skills.

This event was the first of its kind at any grand slam around the world and the players and their families from Personal Best Tennis who learn at the Mt Beauty and Bright Tennis Clubs were thrilled to be a part of the action.

The team from Personal Best Tennis was regional with players from as far afield as Mt Beauty, Bright, Wangaratta and Benalla competing.

The players representing Personal Best Tennis from Mt Beauty were Acacia Keeble, Georgia Moorman, Ash Forrer, Lachlan Faith and Zoe Hocking while Bright was represented by Daniel Neville, Miaka Barratt-Hassett, Cooper Thomason, Dillon Van Hoorn, Lauren Bartlett and Maddie Dodd.

The MLC Hot Shots Program brings the game of tennis to primary school aged children with smaller courts, modified equipment and low compression balls that bounce to suit a child’s age and ability.

Simply put, the Hot Shots program helps children learn and more importantly play the game sooner.

The day at Melbourne Park included free tickets for the players and a parent plus entry to the President’s Reserve at Rod Laver Arena to watch the junior boys final and see young Australian Luke Saville take out the title.

Many families also took the opportunity to make the most of the hospitality from Tennis Australia and watch the ladies singles final on the big screen in garden square on a warm Melbourne Saturday night.

If any local primary aged children would like to experience the fun and learning of playing Hot Shots please contact your club head coach Geoff Hollow on 0418 269 249 and join in after school on a Thursday.