Two local tennis players have hit the court against plaers from across the country after being chosen to represent South Australia in the Australian Seniors Tennis Tournament.


This week West Gambier’s Joanne Sealey represented SA in the Women’s 60s Division 2 competition while Uniting’s Andrew van den Hurk represented SA in the Men’s 30/35/40 competition.


The duo had to put their names forward for selection, with their spots based on nominations.


van den Hurk said he felt proud to compete in a such a prestigious tournament.


“It’s great to go away and play some different people and some really good competition and it’s good to play on some grass and hard courts as well,” he said.


On Monday van den Hurk played his first two matches of the tournament with his team winning both games, defeating New South Wales 7-0 and Queensland 7-1.


van den Hurk said he spent some extra time on court to prepare for the tournament.


“I had an extra couple of hits during the week for a couple weeks leading in and a couple more gym sessions, but that’s probably all, it’s just getting used to playing tennis five days in a row which is something we do not do at home so it definitely tests the fitness level,” he said.


Overall van den Hurk said he was most looking forward to playing with and against new people.


“At home we are around the same group of people which is really nice each week but it’s just good to get out and do something a little bit different and to just have some different type of competition and it’s that next level competition as well,” he said.


“Because a lot of these players are playing city competition right across Australia, there’s not many country people playing as such so people get a bit surprised when they hear someone’s from Mount Gambier, but it’s just a great experience.”


van den Hurk believes tournaments of this calibre are great for the sport given the wide age range of players competing.


“I love to promote the game and tennis is a sport you can play your whole life and that’s evident in this event where there’s people in their 80s and 90s playing so it is a sport for life and it is not as brutal on the body as other sports and it’s just a great game really,” he said.


“It challenges yourself and you can have that social side as well and you still get that team atmosphere even though you’re challenging yourself on the court.”


If van den Hurk’s side makes the finals they will be playing off in the semi finals today and hopefully the grand final tomorrow.