Auckland Tennis hosted the annual prizegiving at Vodafone Tennis Park last night for the 2006/07 season.  The Auckland Junior Boy Player of the Year was awarded to Scott Winnard.  Some of Scott’s highlights included winning ITF Doubles titles at Auckland and Christchurch, runner-up at the National 18’s in doubles, quarters of singles at the National 18’s and a semi-finalist at the New Zealand 18 and under Indoor Champs.  Scott played Caro Bowl for the Royal Oak Tennis Club and represented Auckland in the Wilding Shield.  In addition to his on court feats, Scott was also Dux at Glendowie College (pictured left – Scott receives his award from Auckland Tennis President, Jill Bignell).

Sacha Jones was named the Auckland Junior Girl Player of the Year due to her outstanding performances on the international circuit.  Sacha hit a career high world junior ranking of 11 in March and won three of four matches for New Zealand at the Fed Cup on debut.  She won the Thailand Junior Open, Oceania Closed Championships and just recently added the USTA International Spring Championships to her list of achievements.  Sacha also reached the quarters of the US Open and Canadian Junior Championships late last year along with several other fine results in singles and doubles around the world.  Sacha is currently in America so the award was accepted by her father on her behalf.

The Auckland Tennis Player of the Year Award, donated by the late Jack and Gwen Glennie, was once again awarded to Marina Erakovic.  Marina turned in some outstanding results late last year when she won US$25000 tournaments at Alpen an der Rhine in Holland and in Melbourne.  She then added a US$50000 title in Bejing to her resume before coming home to thrill the home crowd with a win over Meilen Tu in the first round of the ASB Classic.  Marina hit a career best WTA ranking of 147 in January this year.  Her mother accepted the award on Marina’s behalf and in a very eloquent thankyou speech made mention of the support received from Marina’s two friends – Auckland Tennis for assistance over the years and to The Seed Foundation for financial and moral support since 2006.  Recognition was also given to sponsors Regency, Lufthansa, Wilson and TNZ.

Auckland Tennis congratulate the winners for their achievements and wish them further success this year.