TENNIS

TRARALGON JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

A KNOCK out celebration to set off the Traralgon Junior International.

As the Latrobe Valley prepared for a meteoric hit of globetrotting visitors last week, the corporate dinner launched the renowned tennis tournament for another year of excitement.

The pre-event featured sport stars of the highest nature, none more so than boxing legend Anthony Mundine.

The international fighter and former rugby league player arrived to the local area a fortnight ago, giving many young fans plenty of his time at both the Junior International launch and also stopping in to the local 44 Gym, owned by Traralgon’s own and former kickboxing champion Steve Baldacchino.

At each spot, Mundine offered insight into his career and family life, providing motivation for those lucky enough to hear from him.

The former super-middleweight world champion was a ring-in for Australian tennis icon Pat Cash, who wasn’t able to make it to Traralgon on the night.

Cash was still able to offer himself to the local tennis crowd, joining via video stream from Hong Kong.

The former world Number 1 issued his reverence for Traralgon Tennis Association and noted the importance of the Junior International’s running for not just the local community, but for Australia’s junior pathways.

Cash is co-founder of the Gallipoli Youth Cup, which has been hosted at Traralgon for the past two years.

While not there in person, Cash’s coaching team of Ian Barclay, Dr Ann Quinn and Jeff Bond were on deck in Traralgon to share some stories of Australia’s tennis ‘brat’.

Bond was once the head psychologist at the Australian Institute of Sport, originally from Morwell, he was inducted into the Latrobe City Sporting Hall of Fame in 2006.

The most surprising and sensational moment of the night came when a video message was propped up on screen showing former Traralgon Junior International winner, the great Roger Federer.

Federer reflected briefly on his time in Traralgon nearly three decades ago, and wished all the players good luck.

“I see all the kids competing there, all the very best,” he said.

“When I won there in 1998, a lifetime ago … I remember it as a fond place, easy going as you would expect down under, and have fond memories of it.

“Everyone who is still organising it, I send them my best regards.”

Federer was front and centre at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Australian Open, featuring in a legends match alongside Ash Barty, who featured at the Traralgon Junior International, before her storied professional career shot off.