West End tennis served up for all

Justin MacKenzie pauses beside dozens of black-and-white photos on the walls in the old West End Lawn Tennis clubrooms in Westmere.

"It's quite an innocuous picture," he says, tapping the glass of one of the framed monochrome photos capturing masses of people around the old clay tennis courts.

But this photo sparked what is now the country's largest independent money tournament.

It's a scorcher of a day down on the courts, with a view that takes in Cox's Bay Reserve. Seated on the court, Justin, who is tournament director as well as Auckland Tennis Coach of the Year, points to the spot where the crowds would have packed in for the matches all those years ago.

"These banks here were six or seven [rows] deep. It was 1952, so there were people in their suits and wearing those hats, fedoras," he says patting his head. That was one of the early West End Cup tournaments, when the club was a hub for the community," says Justin.

"I wanted to bring that back," he says of his decision to reinstate the West End Cup four years ago, 60 years after the initial tournament was established.

The competition now offers a top prize of $15,000, bringing in some of the biggest names in New Zealand tennis. From the likes of national number two Artem Sitak to fellow Davis Cup team members Rubin Statham and Marcus Daniell, as well as Sacha Jones, New Zealand's second top female, Justin says punters just can't believe the standard.

"They're in the top 200 to 300 in the world. You'd pay at least $60 to see them at the Heineken Open. Here, it's free. You can drive by, park up. We just want people to come down with the kids, bring a blanket," he says, adding there's also the option of making a more glamorous affair out of the event.

Courtside catered tables are offered for finals day, seating six for $600, with canapes and drinks served by a personal waiter. A jazz band plays at the tournament's wrap-up and, for parents, the event includes a nannying service on site.

Consistent with its mission of combining grass roots tennis with pro tennis, the tournament has extended to incorporate the junior West End Cup with an under-16s section.

Justin says support from the community has been outstanding, particularly from Arch Office and Ross Brader at Professionals Real Estate in Westmere. Consequently, the event is about giving back locally.

"On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, we'll have coaching for local schools through the NZ Grasshoppers programme. We also have Marcus Daniell talking to kids about what it's like to be a tennis pro, along with Rosie Cheng, who is fulltime and number one in New Zealand for 13 and unders.'

WHAT: West End Cup

WHEN: December 8-11

WHERE: West End Lawn Club, 2 Fife St, Westmere

HOW MUCH: Specators free

WEB www.westendcup.co.nz