WHEELCHAIR tennis champion Daniela Di Toro was rapt to be back on Bendigo's courts for the weekend's festival run at the McDonald's Classic.

A previous world No.1, Di Toro said the second festival of wheelchair tennis hosted by Foundation 97 was a great way to increase awareness and participation.

Titles were not up for grabs in the exhibition matches, but the powerful returns, serves and crisp volleys impressed many fans across both days.

"The support from the Bendigo Tennis Association is fantastic," Di Toro said.

"Being able to play on a showcourt near the entrance is fantastic for the competitors and for spectators.

"Tennis is such a big sport in our community. 

"It's a sport for everyone."

Her tennis career includes a French Open doubles title and dual finalist in doubles at Wimbledon.

Di Toro and Foundation 97's Noel Clarke said the festival was all about increasing the sport's profile.

"We have had a fantastic response," said Clarke.

"We had three people who had never tried the game have a go. That's been a goal of the festival the past two years and will be in the future."

These days Di Toro is a mentor to two of the country's future stars who could not be at Bendigo TA headquarters for this festival because of matches in Sri Lanka.