Whakatāne players delivered outstanding performances at the 99th annual Aotearoa Māori Tennis Championships, with a strong local contingent reaching finals and claiming titles across multiple divisions.

Among the standouts at the three-day tournament held in Rotorua was Tara Purcell, who claimed the open women’s singles title, continuing her strong form on the national stage and adding another significant achievement to Whakatāne’s tournament success.

Purcell also teamed up with fellow Whakatāne local Alex Howe, a former US College tennis player, to win the open women’s doubles, underlining the strength of women’s tennis in the region.

Whakatāne talent dominated the men’s 30-49 age group, with both singles' finalists hailing from the region.

Eddie Sykes took out the men’s singles title, defeating fellow Whakatāne player Mark Ratana in an all-local final.

The pair then teamed up in the men’s doubles 30-49 division, where they faced another Whakatāne pairing – Joseph Hayes and Ben Howe – in  a closely fought final.

After an intense battle, the match was decided by a third-set super tie-break, with Ratana and Sykes securing the title.

Success for Whakatāne continued in the men’s 50-plus age group, with Dean Roia winning the men’s single’s title. Roia partnered with his brother, Carlo Paul Roia, to claim the men’s doubles title in their division.

Whakatāne was well represented across multiple grades and age groups, highlighting the depth of tennis talent in the region and the strength of local player development.

The Aotearoa Māori Tennis Championships continue to be a significant fixture on the national sporting calendar, celebrating high-level competition and the strong sense of whanaungatanga that underpins the event.

The 100th Aotearoa Māori Tennis Championships will be celebrated at the end of this year in Waikato, marking a significant milestone in the tournament’s history.

Looking ahead, Whakatāne has been confirmed as the host town for the 102nd Aotearoa Māori Tennis Championships in 2028, with the 101st edition set down for 2027.

It will be the first time the event has been held in Whakatāne – a milestone that reflects the region’s growing contribution to Māori tennis and its capability to host events of national significance.

Hayes said it was always a great tournament and it was an honour coming up against players from various iwi across New Zealand while also being able to represent your own.