Part of Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall was transformed today into a mini Pat Rafter Tennis Arena.

And there was plenty of on court action for the lunchtime crowds.

Organizers are planning to “serve up” similar events around the state to promote the fifth year of the Brisbane International Tennis Tournament.

Cavill McClune reports.

TRANSCRIPT

The 2012 Brisbane International saw over 92,000 people in attendance and it’s hoped this Festival of Tennis event will break that record when the big names come to town.

Fans today enjoyed an array of fun activities, free giveaways and having their picture taken with the men’s and women’s trophies.

The event is also promoting classes for up and coming hot shots.

Cameron Pearson Tournament Director：“Hot shots is a started program for kids, uses modified equipment, smaller tennis courts, smaller racquets and low compression balls. It’s a fantastic program for kids to learn and develop their skills and keep them in the game for longer because they get more reward for their efforts.”

There was plenty here for everyone and Nova 106.9’s radio hosts Ash and Luttsy encouraged both the young and the old to get amongst it.

Cameron Pearson Tournament Director: “It’s a great sport, I mean, tennis is a sport for life. You can play from when you’re 3 until you’re 93 and that’s this difference between tennis and a lot of other sports.”

Earlier this week, Australian tennis stars Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Stosur confirmed they will be playing at the tournament in December.

The Brisbane International has grown over its short history to be one of Queensland’s premier sporting events. It attracts huge international stars such as Andy Murray and Serena Williams.

The tournament runs from the 30th of December to the 6th of January at the Queensland Tennis Centre.

Cavill McClune, QUT News.