The qualifying event, which is the precursor to the Australian Open Junior Championships, will be held at the Bendigo Bank tennis complex in Nolan Street from January 18 to 22.

This is the first year the event has been hosted outside Melbourne, with it historically being held at Notting Hill Tennis Club.

Bendigo Tennis Association executive officer Leon Retallick said hosting the event was a fantastic result for junior tennis players in central Victoria.

“We are the only tennis club in Australia that is running part of the Australian Open,’’ he said.

”Some of the players wouldn’t have put their names down if this event was in Melbourne.

“Even if they don’t get through qualifying they can still say they’ve been part of the Australian Open.’’

The event will be divided into two stages - pre-qualifying and qualifying.

More than 100 hopefuls will compete for a place in the main draw of qualifying in the pre-qualifying event.

The top four girls and boys from the pre-qualifying event will then progress to the main qualifying event, with the top eight girls and boys winning their place in the Australian Open Junior Championship.

The Bendigo event will also host a large contingent of international players hoping to secure a place in the Australian Open.

“I would say well over half that would be international.’’ Retallick said.

“But there will also be be quite a few names from Australia and a few from central Victoria in the pre-qualifying.

“They will be optimising the opportunity to play here.’’

Among those players taking the opportunity to play in the Australian Open event are Bendigo hopefuls Leroy Miller and Blake Poyser.

Miller, who had recent success at Shepparton’s Ducats Goulburn Valley Junior Tennis Tournament in the under-16 singles and doubles events, said the tournament was a great opportunity for local tennis players.

“A lot of players will get more interested now this tournament will be held here (in Bendigo),’’ he said.

“It will bring more attention to tennis in the area as well.

“And obviously it’s good because it’s going to be so much easier to get to (than travelling to Melbourne).’’

Blake Poyser, who at 13 is one of the youngest competitors in the event, is looking forward to the challenge of the international event.

“It’s a really good experience,’’ he said.

“I’m just proud to be playing in it.

“I know that I can just try my hardest and the result doesn’t matter too much, because I’ve got two more years to try again (in the junior event).’’