It’s been over a year now since Greg put down his
competitive tennis racquets and called quits on his professional tennis playing
career. After a litany of repetitive injuries and the continually harder task
of getting match fit, he decided it was time to give up the week to week
existence of travelling to a new destination, a new place, a new tennis centre,
to compete. It was time to settle down in one place and re-unite with his
family and close friends, and let his body repair.
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| Greg and Venus |
He has maintained his ties with tennis, coaching at a
private school in Melbourne, playing tennis for Kooyong and hitting with
aspiring young tennis players, and some pro-tour players, at Melbourne Park. He
is also studying part-time, so is keeping quite busy, and enjoying being in the
same place every week.
In the past year he has also been fortunate to be the
hitting partner of two prominent WTA players during the Australian summer of
tennis, with Australian Open winner Caroline Wozniacki in 2018, and then in
2019 with tennis legend Venus Williams. Both were very interesting, as well as
very different experiences, seeing how the top female players went about their
training, hitting and preparation for their matches. Invaluable experience for
Greg.
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| Kooyong Champion 2018 |
In February 2018 Greg participated in the Kooyong Tennis
Club championships for the first time, winning the Men’s singles title and the
mixed doubles title, partnered with Sally Peers. 
As a result of those wins he
was invited to join the Kooyong team in Wimbledon in July 2018 to celebrate the
150th anniversary of the Wimbledon grass court club.
Kooyong Club was one of about 12 clubs around the world to join the Wimbledon Club in almost a week of celebration, playing in a less than serious tournament, playing croquet, lunches on the club terrace, cocktail parties and a grand ball. It was an amazing experience and Greg got to meet some great people from all over the world and see behind the scenes at Wimbledon.
It has been a fascinating period of his life, travelling to diverse and exotic locations, and experiencing many different cultures. A time full of adventure, trepidation, elation, and disappointment. Some fun times and some hard slog. A journey of discovery, learning and growth.
As a result of those wins he
was invited to join the Kooyong team in Wimbledon in July 2018 to celebrate the
150th anniversary of the Wimbledon grass court club. Kooyong Club was one of about 12 clubs around the world to join the Wimbledon Club in almost a week of celebration, playing in a less than serious tournament, playing croquet, lunches on the club terrace, cocktail parties and a grand ball. It was an amazing experience and Greg got to meet some great people from all over the world and see behind the scenes at Wimbledon.
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| Greg and Dave 2019 |
Following his stint as hitting partner with Venus
Williams, Greg is back coaching at a private school, enjoying success with
raising the level of the school's tennis and playing for Kooyong. He recently played in the
2019 club championship, narrowly missing out winning the final, going down
narrowly 57 67 to current pro-tour player Andrew Whittington, but coming from a
set down to win the doubles title, with good mate Dave Bidmeade.
So as Greg ends his tennis playing career, he continues
his career in tennis.
It has been a fascinating period of his life, travelling to diverse and exotic locations, and experiencing many different cultures. A time full of adventure, trepidation, elation, and disappointment. Some fun times and some hard slog. A journey of discovery, learning and growth.
