Elite tennis stars on the way to Cairns
The world’s highest-ranked women’s tennis player is on her way to FNQ to help open the Cairns International Tennis Centre roof structure and to play two matches.
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THE world’s highest-ranked women’s tennis player is on her way to FNQ to help open the Cairns International Tennis Centre roof structure and to play two matches.
World No. 1 Ash Barty will join fellow Queenslanders John Millman and John-Patrick Smith, and Lizette Cabrera on a trip to Cairns this Friday and Saturday.
“We are delighted we can bring four of our top Australian players to inspire the next generation of players as we launch this tremendous upgrade and new roof at the Cairns International Tennis Centre,” Tennis Queensland chair Warwick Nicol said.
“It’s been a difficult year for so many in our community as we all navigate the COVID-19 crisis and we are thankful that tennis is one of the few sports that promotes natural physical distancing, and with increased hygiene practices can continue to be played safely by all ages at the community level.”
On Friday, the players will visit Edge Hill State School, and on Saturday will join local dignitaries and members of the Cairns tennis community to launch the new roof.
The roof redevelopment has been a $2.7m project funded with $1.7m from the council and $997,000 from the federal government.
They will visit Edge Hill State School on Friday where players will participate in an assembly, where they will distribute new racquets to first year students and be formally welcomed to the region by the Mayor Bob Manning.
The following day, the quartet of pro players will then play two exhibition games on the redeveloped courts on Saturday morning.
The 24-year-old Barty will play in two games on Saturday morning.
The roof opening and tennis exhibition is an invitation-only event and not open to the public.
“These measures have been taken to ensure compliance to physical distancing protocols as part of the biosecurity processes in place,” Tennis Australia said in a media release.
Barty and her family have been regulars in FNQ.
TENNIS EXHIBITION
Date: Saturday 1 August
Men’s singles: John Millman vs. John Patrick Smith
Women’s singles: Ash Barty vs. Lizette Cabrera
Mixed Doubles: Ash Barty and John-Patrick Smith vs. John Millman and Lizette Cabrera
Location: Cairns International Tennis Centre – 356 Sheridan St, Cairns North, Qld, 4870
Additional information: Each ‘match’ will be one set.
Originally published as Elite tennis stars on the way to Cairns