To achieve the level of success that gains recognition, especially through the media takes an enormous amount of hard work, dedication, and talent.

However, there are many young and old players turning up to their weekly competition, giving their all and enjoying the friendly rivalry of the game.

These players may not have the skill or the commitment of the elite player but congratulations for propagating one of Australia’s traditional sports.

A typical example was last weekend where Nick Roberts defeated Luke Mclean in the final of Lake Macquarie Tennis Centre’s Saturday morning junior round robin.

These boys and many others including the Tuxford brothers - Sam and Jack, Tariq Attalla, Andrew Phillips and Joel Field commit themselves to weekly competition and training and are the life blood of our wonderful sport.

Congratulations Rachel Mcquillan and partner Stuart on the birth of their first child, a daughter, Jessica.

Rachel’s exploits as a professional tennis player were outstanding being a wonderful ambassador for Newcastle.

Since her retirement Rachel has maintained her links with Newcastle tennis mentoring a number of elite players and competing with husband Stuart in the District Park Monday evening teams’ competition.

I am sure motherhood has slowed her active lifestyle a little, but not for long and we look forward to seeing Rachel back on the tennis court soon.

The past week has produced encouraging signs for Australian tennis in the lead up to the US Open.

Leyton Hewitt reached the quarter-finals in Cincinnati before losing to Roger Federer 6-3, 6-4.

Hewitt was back to his fighting best to beat Robin Soderling, the French Open finalist, Benjamin Becker and Sam Querrey, who had beaten Andy Roddick, however, he doesn’t seem to have the ammunition to overcome the top guns like Federer who defeated Novak Djokovic in the final.

Chris Guccione also had a successful tournament, reaching the third round as a qualifier and beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga along the way.

Sam Stosur also continued her good form by reaching the semi-finals of the Rogers Cup in Toronto before going down to Elena Dementieva 6-7, 6-1, 6-3.

- KEITH WILLIAMS, Tennis