Mount Maunganui Tennis Club juniors are readying their racquets in preparation for the high profile arrival of New Zealand tennis star Marina Erakovic.

As part of a Wilson Balls and Wright Sports-sponsored promotion, Bay of Plenty clubs were given the chance to have the professional tennis player grace their courts for three hours in a promotion and coaching capacity.

Marina Erakovic in full swing. Photo: Supplied

Mount Maunganui Tennis Club president Andrew Karl says the club's members are 'still buzzing with excitement” after finding out the clubs 120 under-18 members will get the once in a lifetime opportunity next weekend.

'It's absolutely awesome. There is great amount of excitement because you don't get a player like this here very often in the Bay of Plenty,” says Andrew.

'Marina got pretty high up in the ranking for a while and she is our highest profile tennis player in New Zealand.”

The 26-year-old is currently competing on the Women's Tennis Association Tour and grand slam events. Her promotional visit on April 13 coincides with a two-week break back in NZ.

The Croatian-born professional has a career high WTA ranking of world No.39 for singles; and world No.25 in doubles. She is the only Kiwi in the top 100 of the WTA and the Association of Tennis Professionals.

During her action packed visit, Marina will work alongside club coaches giving personal tips for the players before picking up a racquet and playing a number of exhibition matches.

'We are also doing six auction slots to play with Marina. So we have an auctioneer from Bayleys, who is going to auction it off for us.

'Then we have an exhibition match with Andy Donald and Peter Blow [club coaches] with one of our top juniors Kalais Going; she got fifth in the national under 12s, so it's one way to promote our juniors.”

The visit is from 11am-2pm on April 13 with tickets $5 for juniors and $10 for adults.