Five women and 12 men make up this year’s list of entries, with every player hopeful of testing themselves in the singles format throughout the six-week, best of three set matches to find the number one male and female players of 2026.
Lake Benalla’s picturesque Gardens Hardcourts again host the premium tennis event. Gardens Tennis president, Michael Levy, is proud that the tournament has established itself as the premium event for Benalla-based players each summer, with players from previous years, new locals and visiting international workers relishing the chance to claim the annual title.
This year’s Men’s division set a record with 12 entries overall. One-third of those entries are made up of Argentinian players, who are working at the Goorambat and Winton solar farm sites.
The Argentinian challenge has grown from two entries last year to four this year, and the Argentinians are not just making up the numbers this year.
Each of the talented South Americans are already playing such high quality tennis that there is a real chance that an Argentinian man could become the second Benalla Men’s Champion following in the footsteps of the foreign Benalla Champion Olivier Vautier of France.
Javier Kisielus has returned bigger and better than 2025, playing superb tennis at a even higher standard than last year. He also brought his co-worker, the left-handed Gonzalo Quinones to the Championship. Gonzalo’s sportsmanship and skill has impressed all.
He pushed former Benalla Singles Champion and last year’s runner up, Levy, all the way in the pair’s pool match last week. The Argentine looked set for a huge upset after taking the first set 4-6 before Levy produced his best level to fight back and take sets two and three.
Newly Benalla-based Lucas Ruiz and Tomas Azar round out the international entrants. Levy indicated that, “either or even both of these latest entries look completely capable of being an Open Champion.”
“It’s early days, but the Argentinian’s levels are all so high. They could be unstoppable,” he said.
Ruiz nearly caused the biggest upset the tournament has ever seen last week. In Ruiz’ very first match he pushed last year’s local Champion, Mark Beers, all the way. Beers had to produce his absolute best tennis to overcome Ruiz with his experience.
The final round robin men’s pool matches are set to take place throughout the next fortnight at Benalla Gardens before the tournament is split, with the top qualifiers going into the Open knockout semi-finals and other qualifiers playing off in the Plate semi-finals. Local youngster and cricket champion Lucas Hales is showing plenty of talent in another sport. Hales was defeated by Kisielus in his first match, but only just, and will challenge plenty of the top players in his remaining matches.
This week’s schedule is set to be weather affected but should see Beers play Richard Seccull on Thursday afternoon at 5pm in one potentially one of the highest standard pool match showdown between two potential Open Champions.
The match up between Michael Levy and Tomas Azar will be Azar’s first match, but Levy won’t be taking it lightly, stating, “I saw this guy hit last weekend. He could very well be the best player in this year’s field, technically already hitting at the highest level.”
All tennis loving locals are welcome to attend any of the upcoming matches down at Benalla Gardens. Many more matches including our Women’s Championship matches will continue to be organised by the opponents and added to this fortnight’s schedules.
Interested watchers can contact Gardens Tennis on 0433 520 809 to receive notifications of all or any upcoming match ties or info.
The 2025 Women’s Singles Champion still looks the lady to beat for 2026. Italian local, Giulia Franceschi, up-and-coming youngster Meg Cooke, American-Australian Mary Thornton who has just returned to the courts following the birth of her second child, and Swanpool/Mansfield based talent Peta Kelly are all gunning for Kate Campbell’s title.
Early matches have been of a brilliant standard in the heat. What is most impressive is just how well-spirited all these matches are currently being played in.
In both the Men’s and Women’s divisions, matches are super competitive but played in such fun spirit. Every match has also had great support from a growing supporter base. Hopefully other Benalla tennis lovers feel welcome to come down and have a look at the Championship at some stage.
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