Some 51 experienced tennis players from across Australia took to the Jim Elphick Centre over Saturday and Sunday May 1-2 for the 20^th annual national ranking tournament.

Australian squash legend Heather MacKay, 79, once again graced the courts to play in two over 60s doubles events.

Southern Sports Academy tennis coordinator Tom Denahy said a number of local players took on visitors from Victoria, Sydney and Canberra to deliver some 'world class tennis'.

"The rest were all visitors who brought amazing tennis prowess to the Riverina," Denahy said.

"All competitors had a wonderful weekend and said they will all be back for a bigger and better 2022 event in May next year.

"The sunny weather made for perfect tennis playing conditions with unending sunshine across the two days.

"Competitors played a round robin format which allowed them all to challenge each other and score results without being eliminated early as in a knockout tournament format. This ensured players got plenty of on court match play in their selected categories."

Jason Marien, Jade Forwood, Simon Barton and Shane Atkinson were among the locals who entered the 30+ singles event. It was won by Sydney's Don Giron, who did not drop a set and went on to win by a two-game margin.

The men's 50+ singles was won by Botany 51-year-old Brad Weatherstone, while 61-year-old Newington player Philip Hazel beat Sydney's David Tennent (60) in the final of the men's over 60 singles.

Wagga Tennis Association committee member, Darren Verus played in the 50+ men's singles event. John Sellwood teamed up with Atkinson in the doubles, while husband and wife team Mary and Nathan Michael competed in the combined mixed doubles.

Denahy said the American doubles format was a highlight of the tournament.

"A combination rotating partner format called American Doubles had 14 women and four men on court from 8am to 12:30pm on the Saturday," he explained.

"The players stamina, etiquette and comradery was a highlight over the two days with most players knowing each other and enjoying a match up and catch up."

The average age of competitiors was 55.

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MENS SINGLES 30+ Winner: Don Giron; Runner Up: Stephen Laurent

MENS SINGLES 50+ Winner: Brad Weatherstone; Runner Up: Scott Smith

MEN'S SINGLES 50+: Winner: Philip Hazell;Runner Up: David Tennent

MEN'S SINGLES 75+: Winner: Keith Olds; Runner Up: Manny Giron

MEN'S AMERICAN DOUBLES POOL - (6 players) Winner: Tim Harris; Runner Up: Pat Dwyer

WOMEN'S AMERICAN DOUBLES POOL - (12 players) Winner: Leonie Southwell; Runner Up: Heather McKay

MEN'S DOUBLES 30+: Winners: Stephen Laurent; Runner Up: Jade Forwood & Jason Marien

MEN'S DOUBLES 50+: Winners: Scott Smith & Grant Woodbridge; Runner Up: Tim Harris & Graham Smith

MEN'S DOUBLES 60+: Winners: Philip Hazell & George Penney; Runner Up: Mark Borthwick & Colin MacKay

COMBINED AGE MEN'S DOUBLES: Winners: Scott Smith & Grant Woodbridge; Runner Up: Don Giron & Manny Giron

COMBINED AGE WOMEN'S DOUBLES: Winners: Katrina Lowden & Adele Ormsby; Runner Up: Pauline Downes & Christine Jarrett

WOMEN'S DOUBLES 50+: Winners: Katrina Lowden & Adele Ormsby; Runner Up: Louise Horvath & Sue Rynsaardt

WOMEN'S DOUBLES 60+: Winners: Pauline Downes & Julie Pratt; Runner Up: Margaret Sellwood & Leonie Southwell

COMBINED MIXED DOUBLES 30+: Winners: Grant Woodbridge & Pauline Downes; Runner Up: Mark Borthwick & Katrina Lowden

COMBINED MIXED DOUBLES 60+: Winners: George Penney & Julie Pratt; Runner Up: Tim Harris & Betty Smith

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