Home > News and Events > 2018 > Sam’s grand week at Aus Open

12 February 2018

By Josh Fagan

Sam Long spent his summer serving up aces on Rod Laver Arena and meeting some of his heroes. The Wantirna 10-year old was one of eight finalists in the ANZ Tennis Hot Shot competition. His prize was a VIP experience at the Australian Open, which included a hit with Alicia Molik on centre court and a meet and greet with wheelchair tennis champion Dylan Alcott which was broadcast on Channel Seven.

The St Luke’s Primary School student said it was ‘really cool’ meeting Alcott and they chatted about music. ‘I liked talking to him about his tennis and about what songs he was voting for in Triple J’s Hottest 100 countdown’ Sam said.

Sam got to watch top flight matches including Novak Djokovic versus Gael Monfils, and the group had a day at Melbourne Zoo. He said the whole week was ‘amazing’. ‘I had the best time of my life'.
 

I had the best time of my life.

His mother Fiona Long said the experience had made her son even more passionate about tennis. ‘He’s raring to get back out there on court in his competition,’ she said.

The junior entrants in the ANZ Hot Shots competition were chosen for demonstrating the spirit of tennis through their enthusiasm and enjoyment of the game. All eight were given medals and the overall winner was 10-year-old Poppy from Queensland.

This article was originally published in the Knox Leader on 6 February 2018.