Boys paddle the world stage

Team Kooroora has now turned Team Aussie Croc.  Mates – Luca Lavermicocca, Ben Dalley and Peter Johnston (PJ) – are currently on tour, but not the Challenger or ATP Tours.  Instead they are touring the Middle East and Europe playing Paddle Tennis.

Paddle Tennis is a cross between tennis and squash.  It is played on a three-quarter sized tennis court, surrounded by glass walls and played with an oversized table tennis bat – a Padel.  It is a doubles format with scoring similar to tennis.

Luca randomly got involved, seeing an article in Broadsheet in January.  And from then, he has dragged Ben and PJ into the game.  With just 9 months Paddle experience, including playing in one World Padel tournament, the trio were selected in Aussie Croc. An all Australian team.  Training has been rushed and has included:  play sessions, drills, a bit of tennis and gym sessions.

The team just missed out on competing in the World Championships – not because of form, more they were not playing the sport when qualies were on.  While on tour, they will be checking out the World Championships, the state of the competition, and also playing a number of International friendlies.

Watch this space .. we may not be seeing much of them on the tennis courts in 2017.  They may be paddling around the world.  Go boys!