Wodonga summer pennant kicks off on Saturday while Albury summer pennant will begin the following weekend.

Ried believes with the help of a bore water supply, the Albury grasscourts can stand up to another demanding summer, while Wodonga has received a boost with council grants helping to obtain grey water.

“I would prefer it to have some rain, but in terms of my preparation it has been warm early I guess, so I have been able to actually get on the courts,” he said.

“Fingers crossed we actually get rain in the next couple of weeks to kick things off.

“It makes it harder if it doesn’t rain to keep the courts in tip top condition because you’re trying to juggle the play with the wear.

“It will have some effect on the courts if it doesn’t rain.”

Ried, who grew up in the North East, has helped prepare courts for three Davis Cup ties which led to him spending time in London preparing the courts at Wimbledon.