Last month's tournament winner Rhett Purcell, left, organiser Jason Helms and runner-up Jesse Galvin-Dawson. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Last month's tournament winner Rhett Purcell, left, organiser Jason Helms and runner-up Jesse Galvin-Dawson. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
What started as a great idea with the hope of turning into something special has taken off quicker than even creator Jason Helms could have hoped for.
The Golden Homes Sunday Shootout series returns to Mount Maunganui Tennis Club at Blake Park on Sunday after a hugely successful tournament lastmonth.
The last of the summer series is set for January 7 at Mount Maunganui but a top Auckland club, yet to be confirmed, has asked to run a tournament in February.
"They see that it is quite successful and they want to host the event so I have said to them no problem we can do it in February. We just have to confirm the dates. Who knows where the tournament will go from there. It is just building momentum really," Helms said.
"It is the only tournament where juniors and seniors and girls can all play in the same tournament."
The fast-paced, one-set match format is the creation of former touring professional Helms, who grew up in Rotorua. Each tournament has 16 singles players competing over three hours, with men and women playing against each other in one-set matches for the first time in New Zealand.
Alexander Klintcharov in action at last month's Golden Homes Sunday Shootout. PHOTO/FILE
"This gave our local juniors a chance of a lifetime to play matches against some of the highest-level players they have had a chance to compete against, with possibly the largest crowds they would have faced," Helms said.
"To see these kids with the biggest smiles on their faces after a loss, because they had the chance to play against a world-ranked player, was testament to what this tournament was about and that alone made the tournament a success."
Helms is pleased with the players he has on show for the public from 3.30pm on Sunday.
"We have quite a few of New Zealand's top juniors and seniors in the tournament plus two women. Last month's winner Rhett Purcell from Auckland is back in the draw and he wants to defend his title and his money [$1000 prize]," he said.
"The boys all enjoyed the tournament hence the reason they are all turning up again."
But Helms is disappointed he got so close to signing the New Zealand doubles player who has made a mark on the world scene in 2017.
"I was so, so close to getting Michael Venus which is really upsetting. I only heard at the last minute that he was not going to make it. I was hoping to have him as my main man but that shows you the interest. The word is getting out there."
