But that will not stop the club's members from cheering on one of the South American country's finest in the Australian Open, starting on Monday.

West Tamworth hosted a free tennis day in 2016, which meant the club went into a special ballot to secure a player for the main draw.

That player, in West Tamworth's case Del Potro, could earn the club, which celebrated its 80th anniversary last year, a cool $5000.

Del Potro has form at grand slam level, lifting the US Open trophy in 2009 and has twice been a quarter-finalist in Melbourne, but is unseeded this year.

West Tamworth tennis professional Mitch Power is confident Del Potro has the talent to take the club on a good run through the two-week Open.

"He's a quality player, to have the winner of a grand slam event representing West Tamworth is huge," Power said.

"Even though he has had some injury troubles along the way, his form late last year was good.

“He beat Novak Djokovic at the Olympics.

"He has played well in Australia in the past and he won the Sydney International a couple of years ago and hopefully the likes of Novak and Andy (Murray) get knocked out early, which can happen in Australia, to open up the draw for a guy like Juan Martin."

Long-time West Tamworth president John Ball declared the majority of the club's 169 members would be taking a special interest in Del Potro's fortunes.

"I actually watched him play in Sydney a little while ago and he really impressed me with the way he played," Ball said.

"Hopefully he'll be in the draw long enough that we can enjoy the ride following his progress."

West Tamworth is not the only New England club cheering on players during the Open.

Tenterfield is hoping world No.88 Donald Young can go further than his previous best third round appearance in 2014.

Glen Innes will be watching Serbian Dusan Lajovic, ranked 93^rd in the world.

Guyra’s chances rest with Sara Sorribes Tormo, a 20-year-old from Spain.