Royal South Yarra competitor Monika Wejnert defied her unseeded status to defeat number two seed Karen Filippou 6-2, 6-4 to win the women’s title on Monday.

Williamstown-based tennis coach James Wong – a leading goalkicker for Goulburn Valley club Shepparton Bears  – downed Zebedee Nicholls 6-2, 6-2 in the men’s final. 

Wejnert, 24, was pleased to mark her return to competition ranks with a win.

“I haven’t played a tennis tournament in about six years,” she said. 

“I was in the AIS program for a couple of years and travelled around the world playing tennis.

“I was a bit burnt out and needed a break. I am originally from Brisbane and I came down to Melbourne last year and I started playing pennant and a lot of tennis for RSY and the whole group was coming down so I thought I’d give it a go.”

Wejnert said she had renewed her passion for tennis.

“It brings back lots of good memories – I might have to play some more tennis tournaments,” she said after her win.

Wong, 28, said a three-set semi-final win over Warrnambool’s Oliver Good set up his campaign.

“It was a three-hour match. He cramped, I cramped,” he said.

“It was make-or-break and I was lucky to get through.”