Our History

Tennis Seniors NSW Inc. was formed on 7 March 1971 and is a division of Tennis Seniors Australia (TSA), which in turn is affiliated to Tennis Australia. This means we are a member of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Senior Tennis, which controls all Seniors' Tennis in the world.

Tennis Veterans began back in March 1970, when the movement was for tennis players over 45 years of age. A NSW Division was created during a meeting called by John P Young at White City in December that year. It was officially formed at a meeting in Lakemba during March 1971, consisting of the following officials:

Chairman: Don Rocavert

Secretary/Treasurer: Len Pearson

Committee: Joe Sterrey, Arthur Bullock, Jack Lown

The Constitution called for players who had either:

• Played Davis Cup for Australia
• Won a National or a State title
• Played in the Wimbledon, French and USA Championships in Open or Veterans events
• Considered by the Committee to be of a suitable standard

ALSO:

“The Committee shall elect not more than forty Honorary members (of any nationality or residence, but who have reached the age of 45) who in the estimation of the Committee deserve recognition for their services to lawn tennis.”

AND:

“Provisional members may be elected at the discretion of the Committee, providing they have attained the age of forty (40) years and satisfied the other requirements listed for Ordinary membership.”

The first interstate challenge in Australian veterans (now Seniors) tennis is believed to have been played at Coogee on 31 October 1971. It was played between teams from Victoria and NSW in two age groups: 45 and 55 years. Of note, the 45 teams contested the Oliver Trophy (donated by the Oliver Sports Goods Company Pty Ltd), which continues to be presented annually to the winning 45 men's team in the Australian Championships.

The first Australian "Teams' Carnival" was played in 1973 in Melbourne between teams from ACT, NSW, SA and Victoria. Players accompanying the team members played social sets against interstate opponents. In 1974, the same states and territory contested events for 45, 50 and 55 year age groups at White City.

Then in 1975, four women’s teams competed in 38 years and over event in addition to the age groups for men in Adelaide. The same men’s and women’s age groups events were held when the carnival was played in Canberra in 1976.

Then in Hobart in 1977, teams from Queensland, Tasmania and WA participated for the first time.

Meanwhile, the "Australian Senior Lawn Tennis Championships" was played as part of the ACT’s state titles from 1971 to 1974. In 1975 and 1976, they were played elsewhere and separately from the ACT’s state championships.

Finally, after a suggestion that Individual Championships be played following the Teams' Carnival, individual championship titles for men and women in various age groups were introduced in Hobart in 1977 and commenced the day following the completion of the teams' carnival. In 1979, the events were held in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Thus, the format for the Australian Tennis Seniors Championships was established, and continues to this day.