Waikato’s Anton Shepp Wins Debut Professional Title at Home Tournament

Hamilton’s Anton Shepp has taken the men’s singles title at the 2025 Bayleys Open World Tennis Tour event played in sweltering conditions at the Waikato Tennis Centre this week.

The event saw over 120 up and coming professional players from around the world descend on the city, competing for official ATP and WTA World Tour ranking points and more than $50,000 in prize money.

Unseeded at the start of the week, Shepp’s first professional tournament at home turned into a dream run, knocking out the top seed Christian Langmo from the USA in the semi finals 7-6, 7-5 before taking out Sunday’s final against third seed Tai Sach of Australia 6-2, 7-6(10).

“It’s a dream come true to win my first pro title in front of a home crowd,” said Shepp. “I went to school two minutes from here and lived just down the road.”

Shepp was adamant the event should return in 2026, “See you all next year!” He announced to the ecstatic local crowd during prize giving presentations.

Local organisers were wrapped with the first professional tour event in Hamilton since 2020. Large crowds were present throughout the week, which coincided with some of the best weather enjoyed in the city all year.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have pro tennis back in Hamilton. The crowds have built all week and having a local player take out the title made it extra special. The players are raving about their time in Hamilton. We’ll do all we can to ensure it returns bigger and better next year,” said Waikato Tennis Trust Chair Jason Cargo.

The World Tennis Tour continues this week with the EVES Open World Tennis Tour Tauranga running 15-21 December at Papamoa Tennis Club.

Full Results
NZ Wheelchair National Championships Final
Travis Moffat def. Glenn Barnes 6-4, 6-1

Bayleys Open Women's Singles Final
Kayo Nishimura (JPN) def. India Houghton (USA) 6-4, 6-3

Bayleys Open Men's Singles Final
Anton Shepp (NZL) def. Tai Sach (AUS) 6-2, 7-6(10)