ALBURY’S Graham Wurtz has survived an epic final to take out his fourth national singles title at the Australian Veterans Tennis Championships in the past five years.
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Wurtz took out the 70 to 74 age group on the Gold Coast by defeating doubles partner Terry Smith 6-4 2-6 6-4.
He was also forced to dig deep to win his semi-final in three sets.
“I had to earn it this year,” Wurtz, 71, said.
“In previous years I haven’t dropped a set.
“The balls weren’t great but it was the same for everyone.”
Although Wurtz and Smith lost the doubles final in the over 70s, the right-hander made amends by teaming with Andrew Rae to win the over 65 doubles 6-1 6-2.
It was Wurtz’s third successive singles title.
“It’s good to win a few in a row,” he said.
“It was bloody hot and humid on the Gold Coast so it was a tough one to win this year.”
Wurtz plays section one pennant in the Albury Tennis Association’s summer competition and admits still being fiercely competitive.
“I still enjoy it,” he said.
Pennant will resume at the Albury Grasscourts on February 3.
Meanwhile, Albury-Wodonga will be well represented at Victorian Country Week at Swan Hill from February 11 to 16.
A handful of teams will make the trip with Albury veteran Ken Wurtz set to make a return to the competition to bolster Graeme Barned’s line-up.
Border sides have recorded some good results at Swan Hill, Wodonga, Shepparton and Yarrawonga in recent years but will again face stiff opposition in the men and women.
Up to eight players can play in each team during the week.