The Wanaka Tennis Club will host the region’s premier teams event this coming weekend, 22–23 November 2025, as the Division 1 Southern Region Senior Teams Event comes to town. Southern Lakes—representing players from both Wanaka and Queenstown—will host the tournament for the very first time, with Otago, Southland and a combined North Otago/South Canterbury team completing the four-team lineup. Each squad features their region’s top four men and women players.

Southern Lakes has dominated the event for the past two decades, winning all but two titles. Both of those defeats came at the hands of Otago, including last year when the Lakes side was hampered by injuries and unavailable top players. This summer, however, the home team is back at full strength and ready to reclaim the trophy.

Matches will run throughout Saturday and continue on Sunday morning at the Wanaka courts. Members and the wider community are warmly encouraged to come along, enjoy high-quality tennis, and support the local athletes. A selection of marquee matches will be showcased on Saturday evening from 5pm, accompanied by a club BBQ and bar service.

Star-Studded Men’s Line-up

Southern Lakes will field a formidable men’s team.

Spectators can look forward to seeing the Milburn brothers, Dan and Noa—New Zealand’s current No. 1 ranked juniors in the 17U and 15U divisions respectively. Both have multiple National Championship titles in singles and doubles.

They will be joined by Queenstown tennis legend Ben McLachlan, a former doubles specialist on the ATP Tour who recently retired from professional play. McLachlan’s career highlights include reaching the Australian Open semifinals, two Wimbledon quarterfinals, and achieving a world ranking high of No. 18 in doubles. After years on the sport’s biggest stages, local fans will relish the chance to see him back on court in Wanaka.

Also returning is Californian-turned-Queenstown local Doug Bohaboy, who went undefeated in last year’s event. Bohaboy reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 250 and played No. 1 at Northwestern University in the top tier of US college tennis. Now 48, he may have toned down the power on his serve, but his trademark double-handed groundstrokes remain as clinical as ever.

Rounding out the singles group is former NZ junior representative and US college scholarship player Harry James, another standout product of the Queenstown Tennis Club.

NZ Davis Cup veteran and former world top-200 player Alistair Hunt completes the men’s roster as the doubles specialist. Hunt will leave singles duties to the younger players this year but remains a major threat in the doubles format.

Strong Local Representation in Women’s Team

The Southern Lakes women’s line-up features a talented group of local players. Wanaka’s own Katya Burgess, Sally Currie and rising junior Kaitlyn Tooley will take the court across singles and doubles.

They are joined by Marina Sokolinkova, a recent addition to the Wanaka Tennis Club who impressed fans with a standout performance in the Wanaka Open women’s final earlier this year. Sokolinkova, who has competed in Auckland’s elite Caro Bowl competition, will lead the side from the No. 1 singles position.

Long-time Wanaka coach Amanda Trail—an NZ champion for decades and former WTA top-500 player—may also feature as a doubles specialist. Her experience, tactical nous and elegant playing style will make her a crowd favourite.

A Weekend of Top-Class Tennis

With a full-strength Southern Lakes squad and strong competition from across the region, spectators can expect an exciting weekend of tennis at the club. Feature matches will begin at 5pm on Saturday.

Further event details will be shared later in the week.