Tutere Durie Takes Out Sovereign Superstars For 20

Tutere Durie Takes Out Sovereign Superstars For 2007

It took a points count back to decide it but 12 year old Tutere Durie is the Sovereign Superstars champion for 2007 after two days of round robin play at the Heineken Open in Auckland.

Sovereign Superstars brings together 4 of the best 12 and 13 year old players in the country for an experience that money can’t buy. Durie was joined at the ASB Tennis Centre by Wharenui Hawera (Hamilton), Chester Espie (North Harbour) and Elliott Darling (South Island) to experience life as a professional touring player.

Nothing was spared for the players with all travel, hotel accommodation, meals, transport to and from the venue and of course centre court tennis with all the trimmings. The experience saw a marked change in the players on and off court, with confidence soaring by the end of play on Tuesday.

Fielding Tennis Club player Durie summed up the feeling of the players and the parents after receiving his award.

“The whole experience has been pretty cool. I’ve learned so much and have a lot more confidence now. The biggest thing for me was playing in front of the big crowds on centre court. I have always found that difficult in my tennis but playing in the Sovereign Superstars is something I will never forget.”

Durie won on count back from Elliot Darling after both won two of their 3 matches while Wharenui Hawera and Chester Epie won one match apiece in a closely contested tournament.

North Harbour’s Espie was still beaming after the presentations but it wasn’t the tennis specifically that he will remember most, emphasizing the all round nature of the Superstars experience.

“The highlight for me was being interviewed by Geoff Bryan on television (TVNZ). I have never really been interviewed like that before and to think it was going live on the TV was a bit frightening but at the same time pretty cool.”

Rain on Tuesday and the need to complete the programme indoors at the ASB Tennis centre failed to put a dampener on proceedings. The ‘corporate box crowd’ was also forced indoors and gave good support to the players in their final round of matches. The Sovereign Ball Kids, line judges and official ATP umpire also headed indoors to ensure the day was a memorable one despite the conditions.

Sovereign Head of Marketing and Product Management Vena Crawley was on hand to join Sovereign Superstars Ambassador James Greenhalgh in making the presentations. Crawley took great delight in the development of the players through their participation in the programme.

“Just as our Sovereign Superstars girls did last week, the boys have done superbly well this week and I know have enjoyed the experience immensely. The personal development of the boys and the maturity they have shown on and off court over the past few days has been marvelous. The feedback we have had from Tennis New Zealand, the media, the players and their parents has served only to reinforce our commitment to the Superstars concept. We look forward to next year when we hope the children can further inspire and motivate all New Zealanders to improved health and well being but for now wish our 2007 superstars all the best in their fledgling tennis careers.”

Capping off a wonderful two days at the home of the Heineken Open was the chance to meet some of the world’s best players and to hit with leading New Zealander Dan King Turner, an entrant in the singles and doubles this week.

Timaru 11 year old Elliott Darling will forever remember shaking hands with and getting advice from world top ten star Mario Ancic.

“Meeting some of the professionals around the courts and hitting with Dan King Turner was great. Then to have Mario Ancic come up to see us and take time to talk to us was cool, it was one of the best moments for me. Finishing runner up in the tournament was an added bonus, especially as I am the youngest player here.”

Davis Cup Captain and Sovereign Superstars Ambassador James Greenhalgh spoke highly of the programme and was only part tongue in cheek when mentioning Davis Cup selection in a few years time.

“The Sovereign Superstars programme is a truly wonderful way of introducing some of our best boys and girls to life as a professional player. I have taken great delight in seeing the way in which the players have embraced this opportunity with such wide eyed enthusiasm. It can only help speed their progress to the professional ranks if that is the direction they choose to head, and who knows they might one day be playing in a Davis Cup team picked by yours truly!”

ENDS

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