IN some respects, the Maffra Tennis Club’s annual Easter Tournament is Gippsland’s own Wimbledon.
It has history: an honour board of champions etched in gold dating back to the first Maffra Easter tournament hosted in 1922 on four asphalt courts at St Mary’s Primary School.
Between 1937 and 1948, the tournament briefly transitioned to grass courts at the recreation reserve before the club established its own, in 1949.
Today, Maffra boasts the only lawn tennis club east of Melbourne.
It has prestige: the fiercely competitive Gentleman’s and Ladies’ President’s Cup singles event has long been a magnet for players vying to claim the coveted MLTC green jacket. The finals, always characterised by passion and high-quality performances, stand out as a highlight for players and spectators.
It has tradition: in a display of etiquette, only match winners return the balls to the tournament box.
Although there’s no strict “all-white dress code,” players pay homage to traditional grass court attire by sporting classic Dunlop Volleys. Meanwhile, the occasional doubles pairing don matching outfits.
It has a signature dessert: Wimbledon has strawberries and cream, and the Maffra Easter Tournament has jelly slice. Courtesy of Kath Pleydell, the tournament’s official dessert is a highly sought-after post and even pre-match snack.
It has camaraderie: More than 330 players participated in the 97th Easter Tournament this year, using each change of ends to catch up on each other’s lives. Some were returning to their childhood tennis grassroots, while others travelled from South Gippsland, Mt Eliza, and Fitzroy, making this tournament a permanent date to mark on their calendars.
In other respects, the Maffra Easter Tournament is nothing like Wimbledon.
You won’t find a caravan or tent pitched on Wimbledon’s centre court; however, at MLTC’s Easter Tournament, Court 1 – also known as ‘The Chook Pen’- doubled as a camping ground over the long weekend.
As matches unfold, spectators often stake out chairs on the club room’s refurbished deck for an optimal viewing spot. However, a camp chair, car boot, picnic rug, or towel on any available patch of grass around the courts offers an equally enjoyable experience to soak in the tennis action.
This year’s sheer number of entries had the club’s volunteers hard at work. More than 200 matches were played on the first day of the tournament last Friday (March 29), with sets extending long after sunset to accommodate the increased match load. Well over 600 matches were played over the weekend, delighting spectators and players with great matches.
