The New Zealand Davis Cup team for the BNP Paribas Asia/Oceania Group II Final against Thailand, in Bangkok 17-19 September has been confirmed with number one Daniel King-Turner back in the team.



King-Turner is joined by Jose 'Rubin' Statham (above), Michael Venus, Matthew Simpson and team captain Marcel Vos.

King-Turner has been in Europe since March playing Challenger events as well as the Grand Slam qualifying events. He arrived back in Auckland on Saturday following the US Open Qualifying and is training with Venus this week. King-Turner is currently ranked 234 in the world.

In-form Michael Venus has had a great run in the Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan Challenger Circuit in the last month. His ATP ranking has gone from 448 to career high of 312 during this three-week circuit. The 22 year old who is based in Florida is back in Auckland this week before heading to the Cairns US$15,000 Men's Futures and then onto Bangkok.

Statham, who was impressive in the July semi-final beating both Pakistan?s number one and number two in straight sets, will join Venus in Cairns next week. His ATP ranking is 351 in singles. Statham who won the fifth set decider in the opening round Tie against Sri Lanka knows what it's like to play in the heat, which will play a major factor in the Final.

Simpson completes the line up. He has represented NZ in Davis Cup once before, in 2007 against the Philippines. Simpson has been based in Europe for the last three years.

Marcus Daniell and Austen Childs who were part of the July Davis Cup team were not available for the upcoming Tie. Daniell is injured and Childs unavailable due to College commitments.

The Thailand team are likely to name the same team line up as July. Kittiphong Wachiramanowong leading the team with Weerapat Doakmaiklee and Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana. The Ratiwatana twins are currently inside the top 100 for doubles. Their team will be finalised next Thursday (9 September).

On paper, New Zealand has the stronger line up, but the heat will be the key element in this Tie.

The team will be based in Bangkok from the 12 September for the week leading up to the Tie.

A reminder that nominations for the ITF World Senior Teams Championships hosted by Canterbury Tennis close with Trish Craven the Convenor of Selectors on Friday 10 September 2010. No late nominations will be accepted.
For further information or to submit nominations with recent playing history email trishcraven@xtra.co.nz



Team selections will be posted on the Tennis New Zealand Seniors website www.tennisnz.com/seniors on the 15th October 2011. All selected players will be required to play in the Tennis New Zealand Seniors Championships being held in Napier 26th to 30th January 2011. The selectors may at their discretion add an additional member to any team should Senior Championship results warrant their inclusion.

Entry forms for the Individual Championships 27 February -6 March will be available on the ITF website www.itftennis.com/seniors

Obituary - David Sims
It was with much regret that the tennis community learned of the recent passing of David Sims after a long illness. David was a Tennis NZ board member from 2001 to 2001. Around 350 people attended his funeral on the Kapiti Coast, including the deputy chair of Tennis NZ, Jeremy Bendall, and former board members Jim Martin, Bryan Woolf and Claudine Toleafoa.

Jim Martin recalled that David made a significant contribution in bringing about a restructuring of the sport he so passionately believed was needed for th good of the game. He was an active member of the Maiden Committee which brought forward the final structural and constitutional recommendations to the board, which received unanimous adoption at the 2006 AGM.

At board meetings, David was precise in his comments, ensured key issues were debated with reason and above all, was a man of integrity in decision-making.

Sky TV's The Cricketers' Show did a shoot at the Scarbro Tennis Centre in Auckland today. There's a segment within the show called Pig & Rig where two top cricketers Scott Styris (still playing in the Black Caps, left) and Mark Richardson (retired, far right), continue their legendary rivalry in new arenas, well outside their respective comfort zones.

So a doubles game was arranged with New Zealand's top two tennis players and Davis Cup team-mates, with Richardson partnering Michael Venus, and Styris playing with Dan King-Turner.

As always, there were appeals aplenty, much niggle, and a close contest - it all came down to an extended tie break - but to find out who won, you'll have to tune into The Cricketers' Show in mid-November...

The annual Royal Oak Open Tournament was held from 22 - 29 August and with over 100 entries the event was a great success.

This year saw the introduction of a number of restricted events in both singles and doubles and this proved to be popular. Players travelled from as far away as Queenstown to take part in the events on offer.

This tournament is usually played at the beginning of August and moving it forward the three weeks helped with the weather and only Sunday afternoon was really affected. A big thanks to all those players who braved the conditions on the final afternoon of matches. We must also thank our major sponsor Barfoot & Thompson – Royal Oak branch for their continued support.

Winners :
Mens Singles – Jaden Grinter
Ladies Singles - Mikaela Davies
S3 & below Mens Singles – Billy Strachan
S6 & below Ladies Singles – Lisa Mundell
S8 & below Mens Singles – Mack Dalton
Ladies Doubles – Brittany Teei/Angela Swinkels
D4 Mens Doubles – Ben Davies / Billy Strachan

Tennis Central RPC Tournament
Over the weekend, the Tennis Central RPC Tournament was held in Masterton. 

Click here for a comprehensive report and photogallery of the winners, written by tournament controller Cilla Paulik. 

Milford players wanted
Milford Tennis Club are looking for players to play in their Mixed Doubles 1 interclub team and our premier reserve mens interclub team. Anyone interested please contact Shelley Bryce 021-549469

We had a great initial response to our  Passing Shots survey last week.

But, just in case you missed it, we'd appreciate your feedback, on what you think we could do to improve Passing Shots for your benefit. Perhaps coming out on a Wednesday would be better - that's one of the questions.

So please take the time to fill out the survey (it will only take a few minutes) - and look forward to a new, improved Passing Shots in the future, as a result of your feedback.

Click here to go directly to the online survey. And thanks for your help!

Campbell Park Services Auction postponed
Campbell Park club has had to postpone our Services Auction to Saturday 13 November @ 7pm.  The club is now actually combining it with a Family Night which includes a BBQ for kids, Wine Options for Adults & our Services Auction @ 7pm.

Seeking expressions of interest from registered coaches
Are You?
• Tennis New Zealand Registered? (Or pending registration).
• Holder of a NZ passport or legally entitled to work in New Zealand?
• Self motivated to grow own client database?

Tennislife Coaching Ltd is offering a unique opportunity for you to coach at the Forrest Hill Tennis Centre on Auckalnd's North Shore to set up a niche coaching business.

A fixed monthly fee will enable a coach to use a bay of two courts for coaching.

• September to May - Monday to Thursday 7am to 6pm and Friday 7am to 5pm
• May to September – Monday to Friday 7am to 8pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am to 5pm

In the first instance, initial expressions of interest please apply to Tennislife management by emailing info@tennislife.co.nz. Documentation will be provided to interested coaches. Tennislife reserves the right to seek proof of TNZ registration and/or work visa or permit before releasing further information.

All enquires will be treated with strict confidence. Contact Kevin Woolcott
info@tennislife.co.nz  or