Three south-west youngsters who have never been to the Australian Open are about to get thrown into the thick of the action.
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Warrnambool's Tomm McKane, Koroit's Mia Murray and Port Fairy's Archie Thomas are part of a group of 180 kids who have the opportunity of a lifetime.
They will each get to step onto centre court and toss a commemorative coin to commence a match.
But the fun won't stop there.
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The lucky youngsters will get to meet the world's best players including legends Roger Federer and Serena Williams.
It's all part of the Tennis Hot Shots program which is a Tennis Australia initiative designed to get kids playing the game.
Hot Shots uses smaller courts, lower nets, lighter racquets and low compression balls.
While Tomm looks up to the likes of Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, he wants to meet Aussie young gun Alex de Minaur.
Tomm would ask him: "How long have you been playing tennis?"
The 11-year-old, who plays at Warrnambool Indoor Tennis Centre, has been participating in Hot Shots for the past three years.
Mia is excited to rub shoulders with tennis superstars and is a bit nervous about tossing a coin in front of a big crowd.
She'd love to meet world number one women's player Ash Barty and ask her about what it's like being a tennis star.
The 11-year-old, who plays at Mailors Flat Tennis Club, has been enjoying Hot Shots for the past year.
"I get to play with my best friend and learn new things," she said.
Port Fairy's Archie Thomas, nine, also enjoys the social aspect of playing Hot Shots every Monday.
His parents Ed and Carley, who play tennis, encouraged him to get involved at Port Fairy Tennis Club.
The Port Fairy Consolidated School year four student has been participating in Hot Shots for two years.
This year's commemorative coin features former world number one and 14-time Grand Slam Champion Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
Goolagon Cawley is engraved on the heads side of the coin.
Tomm, Mia and Archie are just three of the big contingent of south-west Hot Shots participants who will take part in the Open.
Numerous groups are heading to Melbourne Park and will get the chance to show off their skills.
They'll hit a court prior to matches starting at 11am.
They could be the curtain-raiser for a Rod Laver Arena classic between the likes of Federer and Nadal or Barty and Williams.
They'll undertake the same activities they normally do with their Hot Shots coach back in the south-west.
Then they have a pass for the day to check out the professionals in action.
A record 702, 509 children between three and 12 years of age played Hot Shots in the 2018/19 season.
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