Lola Stephenson, 9, Yana Chivanda, 9, Melanija Cubrilovic, 8, Tatjana Cubrilovic, 6, are four young fans who are very excited about the international tennis event coming to their home town.

The four enthusiastic players are part of the HotShots Tennis program at Beaton Park for five to 11 year olds.

They haven’t stopped smiling since Tennis Australia and Destination NSW announced Australia’s best female players are playing a Fed Cup tie against the Netherlands in Wollongong on April 21 and 22.

All knowledgable about the game the four girls know that if Australia wins the BNP Paribas World Group Play-off tie at WIN Entertainment Centre it will break back into the top tier in women’s tennis for the first time since 2015.

They also know it is the first time the Fed Cup has been played in NSW since 2003.

The tie will be played indoors on a purpose-built hard court at WIN Entertainment Centre which was chosen by Australian Fed Cup team captain Alicia Molik.

The WEC was the venue for the last Fed Cup tie played in NSW.

Molik played in that tie and chose Wollongong because of the fond memories she has of the city while representing Australia against Columbia at WIN Entertainment Centre in 2003 and Netherlands in 2002.

“We’re excited to play another Fed Cup tie at home,” she said.

“I had success in Wollongong as a player and I really hope the girls can channel this when we take on the Netherlands next month.”

Tennis NSW chief executive Lawrence Robertson said the Illawarra community will have a chance to cheer on Australia’s top female tennis players in Wollongong.

“I have no doubt they will get right behind the team when they travel to Wollongong in April,” he said.

“Tennis NSW would like to thank Tennis Australia, Destination NSW and Wollongong City Council for their support”.

NSW Tourism and Major Events minister Adam Marshall said the all important play-off has been secured exclusively for Wollongong by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

“Australia has a long and proud history as one of the best tennis nations in the world and with three women currently ranked in the world’s top 50, we are primed for a return to the elite World Group,” Mr Marshall said.

“This event is expected to attract more than 700 domestic and international overnight visitors to Wollongong, injecting approximately $370,000 into the local visitor economy which is great news for local businesses, restaurants, shops and tourism providers.”

Adult ticket prices start at $72, concessions $64, juniors $15 and family passes (two adults and two children) are $159.

Kristina Pejkovic said the HotShots at Beaton Park was popular with girls and boys.

 “They have got different balls with red, orange and green an there is a variation with different groups based on age,” she said.

“The girls here today are very excited about the Fed Cup coming to Wollongong. It is such a great opportunity to have these elite tennis players in their own back yard and watch them play. We are trying to organise a meet and greet for them with the Aussie team during the week leading into the event.”

Yana Chivanda, 9, said she was very much looking forward to cheering the Australian team inside the WEC. 

Her favourite player of all though is Serena Williams who the Aussies may come up against if they beat the Netherlands in four weeks.

Lola Stephenson, 9, said she too was looking forward to seeing tennis played in Wollongong at the highest level.

“It is exciting,” she said.

“My favourite player is Ash Barty.”

Melanija Cubrilovic, 8, and her sister Tatjana Cubrilovic, 6, said they were very happy about the chance of possibly meeting the Australian players.

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