A Te Anau local will be taking on some of the country's best at the Distinction Hotels Te Anau Tennis Invitational next week. Olivia Brandt chatted with Sky Lovill about what he'll be bringing to the competition.

Te Anau's Sky Lovill says he is honoured and thrilled to be the first local to ever take centre court at the prestigious te Anau tennis Invitational next week.

“Any Kiwi player would jump at the bit to be a part of it, as is shown by the class of players that perennially compete in it, and I was incredibly honoured to get the call from [Te Anau Tennis Club president] Greg, inviting me to compete in the event,” he says.

“If getting the chance to compete at the thing you do best, on the most beautiful courts in the world, in front of all your best friends and the community you live in and love doesn’t get your heart pumping, I don’t know what would!”

Hailing from California, Lovill was a childhood tennis star; ranked the third-best player in the United States when he was eight years old.

He was ranked in the top 20 throughout his junior career and played college level while completing a master’s degree in earth science at UC Berkeley. It was there he met Riki and Ben McLachlan, Queenstown brothers who convinced him to visit them in New Zealand. 

Having fallen in love with the South Island, he is now based in Te Anau and is a valued tennis coach across the region. This September, he was promoted to Southland head tennis coach and junior convenor.

Lovill is excited to compete in front of an enthusiastic home crowd and hopes he can win their support. 

“The thing that makes this tournament most special is how deeply the crowd is involved in all the matches… I’ve seen, and been part of the raucous Te Anau crowd before, and know first-hand you want to be on the crowd’s good side, or you’re going to be in for a long day at the office!” 

He is also keen to make the children he coaches proud. 

“The pressure I feel mostly comes from knowing that many of the kids I coach around Southland will be attending this event and watching me compete. I know I am a role model for many of them, so I want set the best example possible of how I want them to compete and show themselves on the court.”

Lovill has been preparing for the competition by keeping fit, and training in Queenstown with his old university teammates Riki and Ben, who is currently the 35th ranked doubles player in the world. He has high hopes for his performance in the tournament next week. 

“I am a very competitive person, and I always want to win badly at anything I do. I have very high expectations of myself, and always step on to the tennis court thinking I am the better player,” says Lovill. 

“I also know that I do not practice tennis with the intention of competing at this level throughout the year, and that this tournament offers some incredibly stiff competition. So, I do not guarantee any wins, but at the very least, I do guarantee to leave my heart and soul on the court and offer some high-class entertainment!” 

The Distinction Hotels Te Anau Tennis Invitational will be held over Tuesday, December 28 and Wednesday, December 29 at the Te Anau tennis courts. 

Tickets are door sales only, and are $15 per adult, with children under 12 free. 

All those aged over 12 need to hold a My Vaccine Pass, to be shown upon entry.