TENNIS

 

TRARALGON will remain a destination for the world’s best junior tennis players, with the AGL Loy Yang Traralgon Junior International secured in Gippsland for a further five years, remaining in Traralgon from 2027 to 2031.

Held each January, the AGL Loy Yang Traralgon Junior International is a J300 event on the World Tennis Juniors Tour, and an important lead in event to the Australian Open Junior Championships.

The tournament has been part of the Gippsland sporting calendar since 1994, and has welcomed some of the biggest names in tennis during their junior careers.

Roger Federer won the boys’ singles title in Traralgon in 1998, with Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, Jelena Dokic, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Monica Puig and Iga Swiatek also among the tournament’s past singles champions.

What you play for: Winners of the Traralgon Junior International get to take home a famous Akubra. File photographs

In another boost for tennis in the region, the Traralgon Tennis Association also confirmed to host the 2026 Australian 18/u and 16/u championships later this year – the first Australian Junior Nationals events to be staged at the venue in more than 15 years.

The singles champions and finalists from the 16/u Australian Championships will each be awarded a main draw wildcard into the AGL Loy Yang Traralgon Junior International in January, providing a direct opportunity to progress from the national championships to international competition.

Tennis Australia Head of Competitive Play and Professional Events Francis Soyer said the extension was a significant result for both junior tennis and the Gippsland region.

“We are incredibly proud to be continuing our partnership with the Traralgon Tennis Association and Latrobe City Council for a further five years,” Soyer said.

“Together, we have built one of the most respected junior tournaments in the world and this extension ensures Traralgon will remain at the heart of the international junior tennis pathway through to 2031.

“The AGL Loy Yang Traralgon Junior International has played a significant role in the development of generations of young players. Many of today’s leading professional players competed on these courts as juniors, and every January we continue to attract some of the world’s most promising talent to Gippsland.

“We are also delighted to bring the Australian 18/u and 16/u championships to Traralgon this year. Our best Australian juniors will have the opportunity to compete at the same venue before many of them return to take on the world’s best junior players in January.”

Big name in town: French professional Gilles Simon on the showcourt in Traralgon in 2022. Simon had a highest ATP ranking of six during his career, and gave Express journalist Liam Durkin a strict five minute time limit for his postgame interview.

Latrobe City Mayor Sharon Gibson said this announcement reinforced Latrobe City’s reputation as one of Australia’s top regional sporting destinations.

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Tennis Australia and the Traralgon Tennis Association, helping ensure the world’s best junior players continue to compete in our city through to 2031,” Cr Gibson said.

“Some of the biggest names in tennis played on these courts as juniors and you never know, you could be watching the next Ash Barty or Roger Federer right here in Traralgon!

“We look forward to welcoming competitors and visitors from around Australia and across the globe, and sharing everything our region has to offer both on and off the court.”