About 230 people attended the Margaret Court Tennis Academy black tie ball at Albury’s Commercial Club on Friday to hear from three greats of the game.

Ken Rosewall, Rex Hartwig and John Fitzgerald entertained the crowd with tales of former days as both amateur and professional players.

“They talked about life on the circuit, travelling around from school halls to skating rinks around the United States,” academy director Phil Shanahan said.

“I’d have to say in all my years in Albury it was the biggest tennis event we’ve ever had here in the history of this city, with the calibre of those three guys speaking at the one time.”

Shanahan pointed out Rosewall, who won eight grand slam singles titles, could not play these tournaments after turning professional before the open era.

“Imagine, I think it was 10 or 11 years, if he had of been playing during that time he probably would have won more slams than Federer,” Shanahan said.

Entertainer Steve Bowen compered the evening, which also saw life memberships given to Patricia Moore and Leigh Gadd for outstanding service to tennis in the region.

Shanahan said although the full amount had not been finalised, the money raised would be used in many different ways.

“Helping children go to tournaments, it will be helping children with equipment,” he said. “We have an overseas trip next year to give some of the kids international experience.”

Rosewell, Hartwig and Fitzgerald took part in a tennis clinic at Wodonga Tennis Centre on Saturday morning, meeting about 40 youngsters from eight to 16 years.

Shanahan said the children understood just who had come to visit.

“I sat them down and said, ‘Imagine if I had Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic sitting here at the table, well, for my generation that was like having these three guys,’” he said.