Life membership of his beloved Domain Tennis Centre awarded to one of the state’s finest players

David Tunbridge was the most dominant force on the Tasmanian tennis scene across three decades and has been recognised for his achievements and contribution to the sport.

Tasmanian tennis player and coach David Tunbridge has been awarded life membership at the Domain Tennis Centre. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

HE is widely considered the state’s best ever “stay home” tennis player and David Tunbridge has no plans on hanging up the racquet any time soon.

Now 64, Tunbridge continues to ply his trade on the seniors tour and next month will head to Kooyong for the Oceania Championships.

It comes after he was inducted as a life member of the Domain Tennis Club just before Christmas for his dedication to the sport he has been involved in from a young age.

Across three decades from the mid 1970s to the 1990s Tunbridge was the most dominant player in Tasmania, accumulating more than 60 senior titles including 12 southern grass court crowns and 11 southern hard court victories.

David Tunbridge in action in the Australian veterans championships in 2005

“It feels pretty special. With me coming to the end of my coaching career it is something I will always embrace, getting a life membership after 40 odd years in the business,” Tunbridge said.

“It sits pretty high up there that’s for sure.”

To coincide with Tunbridge’s life membership a biography charting his career was written by John Blacklow, something Tunbridge said was completely unexpected.

Tasmanian tennis player and coach David Tunbridge has been awarded life membership at the Domain Tennis and had a book written about him by friend and author John Blacklow. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

“It was a surprise, I certainly didn’t know what was happening and when I saw the end product and found out how much time he had spent going through everything and getting it printed, it was a real shock.

“It is something that will be nice to look back on in years to come.”

But for now he is firmly focused on the Oceania titles, where long time sparring partner Stephen Dance will join him in Melbourne.

“Certainly the competitive candle still fires, that’s for sure.

“I don’t think that will leave me and probably a good thing it doesn’t, it will keep me going until some sort of injury grabs me or I’m too old to be moving around.”