The Warrnambool-based tennis coach admitted he’d lacked hitting practice in the lead-up to the five-day competition, where he will play men’s singles and attempt to defend his men’s doubles crown alongside playing partner Jake Dunn.

“I haven’t been hitting a whole heap really and I don’t think Jake has hit a lot as well,” he said.

“I have no real expectations. I can’t expect too much because I played this tournament last year and one more doubles tournament and that’s all.

“So my ranking has dropped a lot.”

But Moloney believes a solid week on the practice court will give him a confidence boost. 

Moloney coaches more than 40 children in the south-west at Warrnambool Indoor Tennis Centre and works at Warrnambool Special Developmental School.

Those two roles will wrap up for the Christmas holidays, giving him time to prepare, albeit briefly.

Moloney, who made a men’s semi-final at the same tournament 12 months ago, said Dunn was the ideal player to team with as they complemented each other’s game styles.

“We have a good record together. We work pretty well together,” he said. 

“We play an all-court game.

“He returns well and one of my strengths is around the net.

“He has a big serve to get a few easy returns back.”

Moloney said he was thrilled two of his charges — Woodford’s Harry Boyd and Hawkesdale’s Eloise Swarbrick — will represent Tennis Victoria at the Foundation Interstate Challenge next month.

They are among three south-west players in the 13 and under regional state team, alongside Patrick Drake.

“They have done really well because in their age group they pick eight — four boys and four girls — and three of them are from Warrnambool, which is good to see,” Moloney said.

“We have a good group of tournament players around here.”

Warrnambool Grasscourt Tournament director Sam Baulch said 254 players had entered the competition, which starts on December 27.

He said there was a rise in men’s and women’s entries — up to 69 and 45 respectively — after the open grades were incorporated into the previously junior-focused event for the first time last year.

Baulch said some players would contest both junior and senior sections. 

“It (the open group) is growing a bit, which is just as well because numbers have dropped a bit,” he said.

“We are down about 50 players. We have a competition in Melbourne competing against us but they are only just up on us for numbers.

“There are less people playing tennis. It comes and goes in cycles.”

The open event is an Australian Money Tournament white-rated  tier of competition.