Tournament director Steve Taylor said the widespread NSW bushfires may have an impact on the number of players that signed for the three day round robin tournament hosted by Nelson Bay Tennis Club, but was hopeful that he could maintain the 225 person average that the event had attracted in the past two years.

"A lot of people from Forster travel to play in the tournament and they were impacted by the fires," Taylor said.

"For the last two years we've averaged 225 players. I'm hoping for similar numbers again this year but we'll have to wait and see what impact the fires have."

The tournament, established by Nelson Bay Tennis Club member Dave Matthews about 19 years ago, caters for tennis players aged 35 and above. It has become the state's second largest seniors tennis tournament.

This year's tournament will kick off at 7.45am on Friday, November 29 and run until the afternoon of Sunday, December 1. The final events of the seniors tournament kick off at 1pm on Sunday.

Nelson Bay tennis courts will be the centre to the tournament's activities but the courts in Fingal Bay, Shoal Bay and Soldiers Point will also be used.

The Dave Matthews Shield will be played for at the Nelson Bay courts on Saturday at 1pm. It is a men's combined doubles event. Last year the shield was won by Greg Scott and John Toohey from Sydney.

Another highlight in the event program is the men's doubles exhibition match, being played at the Nelson Bay courts on Friday from 4.30pm.

Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer is set to partner with Luke Rankovic to take on Nelson Bay Tennis Club president Rod Stubbs and coach Blake Denison.

Taylor said the annual seniors tennis tournament was a great success due to support from Nelson Bay Tennis Club's committee, volunteers and the sponsors.

He thanked Port Stephens Council, Port Stephens Toyota, Moonshadow-TQC Cruises, Blue Water Garden Centre and Blue Water Landscape Supplies for their support.

Taylor said the other key factor to the tournament's success was the players themselves.

"They're good people with the right attitude playing a sport they love," he said. "It's the social side of the tournament that makes it a massive success."

Taylor, who has been the tournament director for six years, said his hope was to grow it even further to become a four day event, which he said would benefit Port Stephens economically.

Registrations for the tournament are still being taken. Contact Nelson Bay Tennis Club for a form.