Tennis
10 October, 2024
Ladlow family taking on this summer of tennis together at Horsham Lawn
Ben, John and Mia Ladlow are taking on tennis season as a family.
The Central Wimmera Tennis Association's season kicked of on Saturday, September 5, with the region's tennis stars returning to the court.
But, for three generations of Horsham's Ladlow family, the 2024/25 season is already a good one.
Ben Ladlow, his father John, and daughter Mia will all be playing alongside each other in Horsham Lawn's A grade O'Connor side.
An injury kept Mia from the court on the competitions opening day, but John and Ben were able to play a rubber together.
"I had played with dad in the past, but it's been a few years since we have played," said Ben.
"We got a bit of a touch up, we got beaten pretty convincingly, but it was good fun."
While Mia is yet to take to the court in the 2024/25 season, it was her decision to play seniors that led to the family playing together.
"Mia has played juniors for three or four years now, and decided that she wanted to play seniors," said Ben.
"I said to her, if she plays seniors, I'll play seniors, and then we had the same conversation with Dad, and he's like, Yeah, I'll come back and play too."
"So there will be three generations of Ladlows playing, which is pretty cool."
While he wasn't confident enough to say it will be a strong season, Ben did say he and the Ladlow family a looking forward to a fun season together.
Playing in the opening round, Ben and John Ladlow shared the court against Drung South's Shaun Casey and John Burford, and were dealt a swift loss, 8-2.
Overall Horsham Lawn O'Connor lost to Drung South 8-4.
Horsham Lawn McGennisken did claim victory in the A grade competition, while Central Park and St Michaels abandoned their match before a winner could be determined.
Weather late in the afternoon meant results were few and far between on the competition's first round.
Both pennant fixtures were abandoned, and having won each of the first eight rubbers, Central Park had just enough points to be the only on-court victors in A special.
Natimuk also claimed victory points following Haven's forfeit.
But, B special avoided the wash outs, with Laharum, Natimuk and Horsham Lawn Tigers winning their respective games.