Cottesloe captain Will Hann has declared the Tennis West State League is as strong as it ever has been as he prepares to attempt to lead his club to back-to-back men’s titles.
The state league roars back to life this weekend, with Cottesloe looking to retain the men’s title and Peppermint Grove the reigning champions in the women’s division.
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With the men’s competition dropping from eight to six teams in the off-season, Hahn said he was expecting a cut-throat competition and that the quality would only improve upon last season.
“What’s exciting being cut down from eight to six teams this season is there’s not a fixture that’s weak; everyone is super strong, and anyone can beat anyone,” he said.
“There’s a lot of fly-ins this season, which makes it all the more exciting, but that much more competitive as well. It’ll just depend on on who turns up on the day and then who performs on the day.”
With last season’s MVP Max Weir, as well as Matt Burton, Scott Webster and Sam English all now overseas, Hahn said it was going to be tough to repeat.
“Last season, we managed to bring four or five individuals together in the same environment and just really feed off each other’s energy and create a culture that I don’t think I’d seen in its state league teams prior,” he said.
“(This year) we’re gelling and developing that culture and chemistry between four individuals, we’re basically starting from scratch.
“We’re all supper confident in our own abilities as individuals, but four individuals aren’t going to win at this season.”
Reining women’s MVP Lauren Nikoloski said her Dalkieth’s team camaraderie had been building steadily throughout the off-season and she was excited by the Dolphins’ potential.
Nikoloski said despite winning the league’s top individual honour last season, she still had much to improve upon.
I took away some things that I probably need to improve on regarding technique, but last season was actually a major success,” she said.
“Winning MVP was a complete honour to me again, I’m really grateful to win that award. I guess it just exemplifies how much discipline and hard work I put into the whole season.”
The men’s State League season began overnight on Friday, with UWA and Cottesloe battling it out on the clay courts under lights, while Blue Gum took on Alexander Park and Mt Lawley/Sorrento clashed with Peppermint Grove.
In the women’s league, Hensman Park and Royal Kings Park also played on Friday night, while Peppermint Grove begin their season at home to Applecross on Saturday, as do Alexander Park and Dalkieth.
The Tennis West State League will be streamed live and free throughout the season on Streamer.