Card games pass time

The Maragaret Court Cup and Victorian Grasscourt Championships have both been interrupted by a whopping amount of January rain, much to the chagrin of interstate players wanting to get out on the grass.

Sitting next to the slowly drying surface at Wodonga Tennis Centre, Canberra’s Jack Okines was itching to get out onto the turf.

“We don’t have any grass courts in Canberra, so it’s a great experience to come down for these events,” Okines said.

“You really have to adjust your play style, be prepared to come forward to the net and volley.

“I don’t get much of a chance to train on grass, so I just want to take every chance I can get to be out there, I hate sitting around and waiting.”

Accusations of Gen Z being the “iPad” generation seem to have been lost on the young tennis community, the numerous rain delays sparking something of a resurgence in card games.

There seemed to be three or four decks floating around the clubrooms as players patiently waited their turn to get on one of the eight synthetic courts used for most of the day.

Brisbane pair Chris Kerswell and Brendan Goldsmith embarked on a two-day road trip for the event, and were looking forward to the change in weather.

“The conditions have been superb when the sun is out, hopefully we can keep getting out there.” Kerswell said.

“I’d rather be using my racquet instead of the mini-pool table we brought.”