First Floating Tennis Court in Australia is a Hit

First Floating Tennis Court in Australia is a Hit

Two of the True Characters of Australian tennis, Pat Rafter and Wally Masur battled it out today on the Yarra River in the inaugural Jacob's Creek Character Match to officially launch Jacob's Creek's partnership with the 2010 Australian Open.

A free event open to the public, Rafter and Masur entertained the crowds in a best of five game "marathon" that featured a punt ride to the court, expert umpiring by Channel Seven's Mark Beretta and paddling surf life savers retrieving balls from the middle of the river, and the odd good shot from the two tennis legends.

After their singles match Rafter and Masur joined two of Australian tennis' grass root true characters Lisa Reade from Torquay and James Lynch from Yarrawonga who have each put many years and hours into volunteering and supporting Australian tennis.

This year Jacob's Creek is celebrating True Character at the 2010 Australian Open and is proud to partner with these tennis legends, fans and volunteers who together have made this tournament one of the most successful and loved sporting events in the world.

Rafter and Masur were chosen by Jacob's Creek to play their first True Character match as much due to their character off court as their success on it.

While Rafter is a dual Grand Slam winner and World Number One and Masur a US Open and Australian Open semi-finalist, they both exhibit traits that Australians instinctively love in their sporting heroes.

Both have won numerous accolades for their sportsmanship, their sense of fair play, their larrikin sense of humour, their integrity and their modesty when discussing their achievements.

Rafter said of the Jacob's Creek Character Match, "To play on the Yarra River with Melbourne city as the backdrop and against my old mate Wally was pretty special."

"The Australian Open has always been an exciting tournament and it's great to see Jacob's Creek bringing some of that fun to the crowds."

Masur said, "It was fantastic to have a chance to play with Pat- he was coming up through the ranks when I was retiring."

"And I beat him - that's one for the pool room . . .

"The Australian Open is all about the fans so it's great that Jacob's Creek has brought tennis to the city of Melbourne with an event that everyone could be a part of."

Jacob's Creek kept the crowds entertained over the afternoon with a free BBQ lunch, souvenir photos and a fun triple /doubles match between Pat and Wally and Nova FM national drive team Ryan, Monty and Wippa.

Bev Bristow from Melbourne was also plucked from the crowd for the "Return Pat's Serve" competition and took home two Australian Open Men's Final tickets. 50 lucky people also scored Australian Open ground passes on Australia Day where Jacob's Creek will be helping fans celebrate their national day with a special BBQ by celebrity chef Pete Evans at the Jacob's Creek Open House and Pat Rafter will also play a special Australian Open Legends doubles match with Goran Ivanisevic.

The final results of the Jacob's Creek Character Matches were:

MATCH ONE
Wally Masur - 3
Pat Rafter - 1

MATCH TWO
Pat Rafter + Lisa Reade - 3
Wally Masur + James Lynch - 2

MATCH THREE
Nova's Ryan, Monty and Wippa - 1
Pat Rafter + Wally Masur - 0