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Queensland’s top junior tennis stars hoping to reach the Australian Open Grand Slam tournament one day

The Australian Open tennis tournament is looming large and the next generation of potential Grand Slam winners are moulding their skills on courts across Queensland. Discover the top juniors of the Sunshine State here

Discover Queensland’s top junior tennis players.
Discover Queensland’s top junior tennis players.

The Australian Open tennis tournament is looming large as the nation’s best players prepare to take on international stars in Melbourne next month.

While the global heroes of the sport conduct final preparations, the next generation of Aussie juniors hoping to one day reach the Grand Slam are moulding their skills on courts across Queensland.

We have moved to highlight the top junior tennis players you need to watch for the future.

Central Qld | Sunshine Coast | Mackay | Gold Coast | Brisbane | Cairns | Townsville

Central Queensland

Lucas Van Eeden 

Club: Gladstone Tennis and Squash

Age: 12 boys

A young gun on the rise who had plenty of success in 2023. Was the 13 boys singles and doubles champion in the JDS Central Region regional finals, finished third in the Queensland JDS Final and was runner-up in the Head State Age under-12 boys singles. Predominantly a baseliner, he also represented Capricornia in the 10-12 years division at the QRSS state championships.

Gladstone tennis player Lucas Van Eeden.
Gladstone tennis player Lucas Van Eeden.

Seb Hatte

Club: Yeppoon Tennis Club

Age: 12 boys

A big, strong player with an attacking game. Represented the Capricornia primary schools team at the state championships. Performed well on the Central Queensland Junior Development Series, as well as at tournaments outside the circuit this year. Showing plenty of promise.

Charlie Stirling

Club: Tennis Rockhampton

Age: 16 girls

Hitting the court with equal measure of talent and tenacity, Stirling continues to enjoy plenty of success as she continues to improve her UTR rating. She had good results in the Capra Series (comprising Rockhampton, Emerald, Mackay and Gladstone), and served up solid performances at the Rod Laver Lead-In Tournament. A strong baseline player, she has a well-rounded game and incredible speed which she uses to dictate play.

Charlie Stirling
Charlie Stirling

Paige Vickery

Club: Tennis Rockhampton

Age: 16 girls

Vickery continued her consistent form this year, among her achievements making the semi-finals of the under-16 girls singles and doubles at the keenly contested Capra Series. A strong and aggressive serve-volleyer, her game style is best suited to doubles as she looks to dominate play and finish points off early.

Lenny Maclean-Booysen

Club: Tennis Rockhampton

Age: 15 boys

A player with plenty of potential who is notching up some great results, many of them against higher-rated opponents. Won his age group in the Central Queensland Junior Development Series this year. An all-court player, he is equally as comfortable on the baseline as he is at the net. Physically strong, he hits with controlled power and is always in the game.

SUNSHINE COAST

Isabella Welsh

Club: Elite Tennis International

Age: 13

Sunshine Coast tennis talent Isabella Welsh.
Sunshine Coast tennis talent Isabella Welsh.

Welsh took out the State Age Championships singles for under 14s in Rockhampton this year and is a well known competitor at Nationals Hardcourts and Grasscourts as well as National Masters.

Her coach said she was definitely a player to keep an eye on.

“She is super dedicated and has an all court playing style,” he said.

“She’s a player to watch due to her commitment to improvement.”

Ryan White

Club: Elite Tennis International Caloundra

Age: 12

Elite Tennis International player Ryan White.
Elite Tennis International player Ryan White.

In 2023 White competed at the National Hardcourt Championships in Adelaide and represented Queensland at the National Schools Tennis Championships in Brisbane. In Brisbane the Queensland team were undefeated against every other State and Territory and took out the prestigious Bruce Cup. Ryan won his first Junior Tour events in 2023, one in Caloundra and one in Rockhampton. He has also qualified for the National Junior Tour Masters Tournament in December and the National Grasscourt Championships in January.

The rising star said he hoped to compete at the Australian Open when he was older.

“I love training and playing tennis, especially with my friends,” he said.

“I love going to tournaments and getting better and better.

“My long term goal is to play in the Australian Open one day but for now I just want to keep improving and having fun.

“I want to make the quarter finals of a National event and win another Junior Tour event in 2024.”

Isabel Liu

Club: Elite Tennis International, Caloundra Tennis Club

Age: 9

Sunshine Coast tennis star Isabel Liu.
Sunshine Coast tennis star Isabel Liu.

Liu represented Queensland earlier this year when she was apart of the winning team at the Super 10s. She also placed second overall in green ball at the Bolt to Brisbane State Finals.

Liu’s coach Matt Deverson said she possessed plenty of talent at such a young age,

“Isabel loves tennis and has a lot of energy which translates to her success on court,” he said.

“She is extremely disciplined, has great footwork and her love of tennis is second to none.

“She is a player to watch as she demonstrates qualities of a seasoned professional at a very young age.”

Luke Dixon

Club: Sunshine Coast Regional Tennis Centre

Age: 12

Sunshine Coast tennis star Luke Dixon in action.
Sunshine Coast tennis star Luke Dixon in action.

Dixon hoped to reach the professional level and his head coach Matt Deverson said he was a skilled athlete.

“Luke is a very skilled player with a love of tennis and a desire to be better everyday,” he said.

“He is a solid tennis athlete and is a player to watch with his all-court game bringing something different compared to other tennis players his age.”

Connor McEvoy

Academy/School: Home Schooled

Age: 14

Sunshine Coast tennis star Connor McEvoy. Picture: Tennis Australia.
Sunshine Coast tennis star Connor McEvoy. Picture: Tennis Australia.

McEvoy is one of Queensland’s brightest young talents and has already represented his state, competed on the Tennis Europe Junior Tour and was invited to the inaugural Tennis Australia Talent Combine.

He is currently the number one ranked Queensland player for his birth year and is fourth in Australia.

He recently returned from the International Tennis Federation Junior Championships (ITF) in Perth where he won his first ITF doubles title and made the quarterfinals in singles. He also played in the Adelaide and Darwin ITF’s earlier this year.

As he ranks inside the top eight seeded Australian juniors, he is set to compete in the National Junior Masters Showdown Championships from December 1 to 8.

His head coach, Clint Fyfe, said he was a joy to watch.

“He’s an excellent mover, all-court aggressive player with backhand, forehand and volley, competes very well, great composure, humble kid and plays well under pressure,” he said.

Juliet Santitto

Academy/School: Sunshine Coast Grammar

Age: 16

Juliet Santitto plays against Lara Walker in the Open Women's singles semi final of 2023 Opal Advice 91st Easter Gold Cup at Toowoomba Tennis Association. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Juliet Santitto plays against Lara Walker in the Open Women's singles semi final of 2023 Opal Advice 91st Easter Gold Cup at Toowoomba Tennis Association. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Originally from Innisfail, Juliet currently resides on the Sunshine Coast where she regularly trains and competes, often making trips down to Brisbane to further her skills in tennis camps.

Santitto also received the Anthony Richardson Regional Female Athlete of the Year Award at the 2023 Queensland Tennis Awards.

In 2023, Juliet captained the Queensland Pizzey Cup Secondary Schools Team and also led the Sunshine Coast Grammar School team to victory at the 2023 Queensland Schools Championships.

“I’ve loved tennis from an early age, training and playing with my three older brothers,” she said.

“I hope to do US College tennis and then play on tour.”

Ozzy Robins 

Academy: KT Academy

Age: 16

Sunshine Coast tennis star Ozzy Robins.
Sunshine Coast tennis star Ozzy Robins.

Robins played 66 times this year, finishing with a record of 52 wins and just 14 losses.

A major victory came at the Junior 125 KDV Sport Junior Slam Series 3 as well as taking out the Northside Junior Championships and Tweed Heads Spring Junior Championships.

“Dedication and hard work are Ozzy’s key attributes to having the success he has had this year,” his coach said.

“His goal is to make it as a professional tennis player and play the Australian Open.”

Honorable mentions to Norbert Myslek (Matthew Flinders Anglican College), Ben Schouteten (Sunshine Coast Grammar School)

Mackay

Lexi Tapp 

Club: Pioneer Tennis Club

Tapp represented Capricornia at the Queensland Secondary Schools Championships. Lexi is also an U16 representative for North at the Queensland Junior Teams Carnival to held at the Gold Coast in December.

Cheyne Adamson 

Club: Pioneer Tennis Club

Adamson is set to feature in the U18 age group for North at the Queensland Junior Teams Carnival.

Lucas Chansoonsen 

Club: Pioneer Tennis Club

Chansoonsen will also represent the North at the Queensland Junior Teams Carnival, and is set to compete at the Queensland Masters as part of the state’s top 32 U16s.

Raice Gibbons 

Club: Pioneer Tennis Club

Gibbons is an U14 boy’s representative for team North at the Queensland Junior Teams Carnival. He represented North at the State Junior Masters Finals in Rockhampton and has also made the state’s top 32 for the Queensland Masters.

Reyne Gibbons 

Club: Pioneer Tennis Club

The younger Gibbons Reyne will figure in the u12 boy’s as one of the top 32 players for the Queensland Masters Race.

Lilly Shepherd

Club: Pioneer Tennis Club

One of the brightest prospects from Mackay’s Pioneer Tennis Club, Shepherd has had a season to remember. The highlight was arguably qualifying as one of the top 24 in the nation to compete at the National Masters Race, which is set held at Melbourne Park, the home of the Australian Open.

She also won the Queensland State Age U16 girl’s singles and doubles, and represented Capricornia at the Queensland Secondary Schools. On top of this, Shepherd was a shadow player for the QLD team.

She has now won back-to-back Queensland State Age Titles which is a tremendous achievement. If that wasn’t enough, Shepherd also finished in the top 32 for the Queensland Money Race, meaning she has the opportunity to compete for $20,000 (yes, you read that right!) in January.

Josh Wilson

Club: Mackay Tennis Club

Much like Shepherd, Wilson has had a season to remember and is flying the flag for Mackay Tennis Club on this list. The highlight proved to be a second-place finish - after a heartbreaking tie-break loss - in the North Queensland High School trials despite only being in grade nine.

He won the Sunshine Coast U14 tournament, and was also a runner up in Rockhampton, while he took out the sportsmanship award at the Rod Laver nationals.

Wilson is already fielding scholarship offers from southeast Queensland, and a move to American college could be on the cards once he finishes school. A name to keep an eye on.

Mackay Tennis Club's Josh Wilson pictured with the Anne Huddlestone Sportsmanship Award for the 2023 Rod Laver Nationals. Picture: Supplied.
Mackay Tennis Club's Josh Wilson pictured with the Anne Huddlestone Sportsmanship Award for the 2023 Rod Laver Nationals. Picture: Supplied.

Noah Piperidis 

Club: Pioneer Tennis Club

Piperidis will feature in the Queensland Masters Race as a top-32 player for U14 boy’s.

Tommy Louw 

Club: Pioneer Tennis Club

Louw is in the U12 boy’s representative team for the Queensland Junior Teams Carnival. He represented North at the State Junior Masters Finals, and made the state’s top-32 for the Qld Masters in his age bracket.

Also represented Capricornia at the Queensland Primary Schools Championships.

Lara Savige 

Club: Pioneer Tennis Club

Savige’s talents were on display for the U14 girl’s representative team at the Queensland Junior Teams Carnival.

Tess Trifelly Jones 

Club: Pioneer Tennis Club

Was in the U12 girl’s representative team for the Qld Junior Teams Carnival. She also featured for North at the State Junior Masters Finals, and represented Capricornia at the Queensland Primary Schools Championships.

Pioneer Tennis Club's stars of tomorrow. Picture: Supplied.
Pioneer Tennis Club's stars of tomorrow. Picture: Supplied.

Sienna Brooke 

Club: Pioneer Tennis Club

Brooke was on the u16 girl’s representative team for the Qld Junior Teams Carnival, and represented North in the u15 girl’s at the State Junior Masters Finals.

Taylah Petersen 

Club: Pioneer Tennis Club

Featured for the U16 age group at the QLD Junior Teams Carnival and represented North in U17 girl’s at the State Junior Masters Finals.

Harvey Savige 

Club: Pioneer Tennis Club

Harvey was an U12 boy’s representative at the QLD Junior Teams Carnival.

GOLD COAST

Emerson Jones

The Gold Coaster made it into the top 10 of the ITF World Tennis Tour junior rankings this year at the age of 15.

She won the biggest title of her career in Tokyo, the ITF J500 tournament in Osaka.

It is one of the biggest touranments in the world.

By winning Jones became the youngest player to claim an ITF Grade A junior competition since Australian sporting idol Ash Barty won the Wimbledon Juniors in 2011.

Gold Coast junior tennis player Emerson Jones.
Gold Coast junior tennis player Emerson Jones.

Cruz Hewitt

The son of Aussie tennis great Lleyton won four ITF under-18 titles in 2023, scored his first professional win in a qualifying round in Darwin, while twice in the past three months falling just short of reaching an ITF Futures main draw against much older opponents.

Cruz Hewitt playing on Court 10 at Melbourne Park. He is a wildcard in his first under 18 championship. Picture: David Caird
Cruz Hewitt playing on Court 10 at Melbourne Park. He is a wildcard in his first under 18 championship. Picture: David Caird

Chase Hoogsteden

Hoogsteden won the under-10 category at the Gold Coast District Championships in November.

He progressed through Rounds 2 and 3 with 6-1 wins, edged past Eddie Wei 6-4 in Round 4 and beat Kash Beaver 6-1 to win Round 5.

Mikhail Malakhov

Won the under-12 boys singles at the Gold Coast District Championships.

He beat Archer Gisler 6-5 in Round 2, cruised through Round 3 and 4 with 6-2 wins and eventually went on to beat Sebastian David 6-5 in the final.

Ethan Chen

Chen won the under-14 boys singles at the Gold Coast District Championships after overcoming Ty Tram 6-2 in the final in one of the most dominant displays of the tournament.

Huw Hoffman

Hoffman dropped just six games throughout the entire Gold Coast District Championships, with all but one of them coming in the under-16 boys final that he won 8-5.

Havanna Burke

Burke didn’t drop a game on route fo the under-14 girls final of the Gold Coast District Championships but found herself up against a formidable opponent in Emilia Matruglio.

She came out on top 6-5 in one of the game’s of the tournament.

Sahla McElwaine

McElwaine beat Sofia Goldemerg, Katie Springfield and Yana Lavrentiev to reach the under-16 girls final where she defeated Tayla Hunter-Geppert 6-1 to claim the title.

BRISBANE

Name: Ethan Connelly

School: St Laurence’s College

Described by the College as a “great young man driven and committed to his craft,’’ the Year 10 student is ranked No. 5 in his age group across Australia during the year was at one stage ranked No. 1 in Queensland.

He was captain of a college First IV side which included young guns Josh Deen and Hayden Connelly.

Name: Lucas Han

School: Brisbane Grammar School

An under 13 Queensland teams representative, Han claimed the under 14 boys singles (tier 1) title at the 2023 Rod Laver Junior State Championships.

It followed on from his 2-22 performance when he overcame top seed Flynn Coventry-Searle (NSW) 6-2 6-4 to win the 12 years Australian Junior Hardcourt championship.

Name: Rhylee Jackson

School: Canterbury College

At the Tennis Queensland Awards evening recently Jackson, from sporting rich Logan City, was presented with the Most Outstanding Junior Athlete with a Disability award.

Name: Reuben Wagels

School: Villanova College

A Year 9 student, Wagels won the First IV and won the College Most Valuable Player awards in 2023. He was one half of the doubles at the State Age Championships, and also was runner up in singles at the Central Age Championships.

Villanova are in safe hands for the next three years.

Name: Carter Lennon and co.

The championship winning Brisbane Boys College team.
The championship winning Brisbane Boys College team.

School: Brisbane Boys College

Lennon was the skipper off this BBC team comprising Alex Despoja, Rohan Hazratwala, Ani Nallaparaju, William Genberg and Kaylen Timbrell which won the Secondary Schools National Boys’ Championships last week. It was a breathtaking final triumph against The McDonald College, leaving them the only undefeated team in the championships and winners of the highly prized Gallipoli Youth Cup.

They were coached by Ben Mitchell.

Gautham Santhosh

Gautham Santhosh was thrilled to be selected to do the coin toss for Roger Federer and Hyeon Chung's semi-final match on day 12 of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia.
Gautham Santhosh was thrilled to be selected to do the coin toss for Roger Federer and Hyeon Chung's semi-final match on day 12 of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia.

Club: Sandgate

Santhosh has quite the story to tell - regardless of how his tennis career progresses.

A selection in the Queensland Schools 13-19 years merit representative side for 2022-23, Santhosh was merely chest high to Roger Federer when he did the coin toss at the recent Melbourne Open semi final. He was nominated by his club for being a good sport.

Name: Acaclia Shamim

School: Sheldon College

Shamim’s breakthrough year came as a Year 7 student in 2021 when she earned selection in the Met East team for the Girls 10-12 Years and was invited to play at the Super 10s National Camp held at the Australian Open. This year she won the under 16 girls singles (tier 1) at the Rod Laver Junior State Championships.

Name: Grace Cadwallader

Tennis action with Grace Cadwallader of St Aidans Saturday August 6, 2022. Picture, John Gass
Tennis action with Grace Cadwallader of St Aidans Saturday August 6, 2022. Picture, John Gass

School: St Aidans Anglican Girls’ School

Cadwallader was runner-up in the under 16 girls singles (tier 1) at the Rod Laver Junior State Championships.

Name: Samarth Patel

Samarth Patel competes in an under-12 boys quarter final against Cody Atkinson in the Rafa Nadal Tour at the Toowoomba Regional Tennis Centre, Sunday, May 2, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Samarth Patel competes in an under-12 boys quarter final against Cody Atkinson in the Rafa Nadal Tour at the Toowoomba Regional Tennis Centre, Sunday, May 2, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

School: Brisbane Grammar School

Another BGS student, Patel had success at the Rafa Nadal tournament and also played for the Queensland side at the Australian Teams Championships earlier this year.

Name: Ivy Lauder

Ivy Lauder competes in an under-12 girls quarter final against Elise Virr in the Rafa Nadal Tour at the Toowoomba Regional Tennis Centre, Sunday, May 2, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Ivy Lauder competes in an under-12 girls quarter final against Elise Virr in the Rafa Nadal Tour at the Toowoomba Regional Tennis Centre, Sunday, May 2, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

School: Clayfield College

A Queensland Schools 13-19 years representative side selection, bayside ace Lauder would be the envy of many for earning a place at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain last year after winning at the Australian Masters Invitational for Girls.

Names: Jake Spurrell

Club: Sheldon College

Spurrell surged through the field to win the 16 years singles at the Queensland State Age Championships. He also had a good campaign in the doubles with Calamvale’s Lachlan Kohl.

Both boys fired in the 16 years doubles tournament, but in the end it was Troy Goodwin and Camerson Middleton who got the chocolates, beating them in the final.

Name: Heaton Pann

Region: Unknown

Pann is gearing up to play at the Australian Grass Court Championships in January after playing his role in Queensland’s strong showing at the Bruce Cup National carnival. The 2023 Queensland teams representative at the Australian Teams Championships, he also qualified for the Australian Junior Hardcourt championships

Name: Jack White

Team: Brookfield Tennis Centre

White joined St Laurence’s College ace Ethan Connelly (mentioned earlier) and Sunshine Coast Grammar student Connor McEvoy in representing the Queensland under 15 boys at the Australian Teams Championships. The side came third. White was also named in the 13-19 years Queensland school merit team.

Name: Helena Guan and co

Helena Guan plays against Danielle Badman in the Open Women's singles - main draw round of 16 match of the 2023 Opal Advice 91st Easter Gold Cup at Toowoomba Tennis Association, Saturday, April 8, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Helena Guan plays against Danielle Badman in the Open Women's singles - main draw round of 16 match of the 2023 Opal Advice 91st Easter Gold Cup at Toowoomba Tennis Association, Saturday, April 8, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Region: Met East

Guan continued her representative career by playing for the Queensland under 15 side at the Australian Teams Championships. Guan, also a state under 13 representative, joined fellow Queenslanders Georgia Campbell and Gina Cha in helping Queensland reach No.2. Guan was also named in the 13-19 years Queensland school merit team.

Name: Melisa Ercan

Based: Brisbane

Aged 18, Ercan is a top 10 ranked Australian junior who lives in Brisbane after originally being born in Turkey. She received Australian citizenship earlier in the year and has a ITF junior ranking of 26 featuring a 65 per cent win rate.

Name: Isabella Crilly

Junior tennis semi-finals at the Chermside Road courts, East Ipswich. Isabella Crilly. Picture: Cordell Richardson
Junior tennis semi-finals at the Chermside Road courts, East Ipswich. Isabella Crilly. Picture: Cordell Richardson

Region: Ipswich

Crilly won the Queensland State Age 12 years singles title in Rockhampton during September - and then backed up to help claim the doubles championship alongside Sophie McCormack.

Name: Angus Cook

School: Brisbane Grammar School

Cook won the under 16 boys singles (tier 2 title) at the 2023 Rod Laver Junior State Championships.

Name: Jasmine Llewellyn and Lilly Shepherd

Region: Gladstone and Mackay

Llewellyn and Pioneer Tennis junior Lilly Shepherd combined to win the 16 years girls at the Queensland State Age Championships staged in Rockhampton during September. Shepherd had earlier won the under 16 singles.

Tristan Stock

Region: Met West

Stock was named in the Queensland Schools 13-19 years merit representative side after a rousing 18 months of competition.

Name: Cleo Taylor and co

Region: Queensland

The Queensland team of Cleo Taylor, Hope Johns and Ava Garner won the Margaret Court Cup 11 and under girls at the Australian Teams Championships. It capped an impressive week for the Queensland team, who lost only three of their 18 matches across the five-day event. Queensland secured the title with a 2-1 victory in the final against New Zealand

Name: Lejla Buldo

Gold Coast tennis player Emmerson Jones (left) with Lejla Buldo after their under-12 final at the Beenleigh Age title. Picture: GEOSNAPSHOT.COM/CHRIS SEEN
Gold Coast tennis player Emmerson Jones (left) with Lejla Buldo after their under-12 final at the Beenleigh Age title. Picture: GEOSNAPSHOT.COM/CHRIS SEEN

Region: Cleveland

Buldo was named in the Queensland Schools 13-19 years merit representative side for 2022-23.

Name: Luke Dyer and co

School: St Peters Lutheran College

St Peters won 75 per cent of all the AIC Tennis Divisions across 2023 and were again crowned 1st IV Premiers this year. The No. 1 AIC tennis school was spearheaded in the First by Luke Dyer, Taj Wilson, Michael Huang and Jacob Cropper.

Name: Nicola Shoeman

School: Kelvin Grove State College

Nicola Shoeman was named in the Queensland Schools 13-19 years merit representative side for 2022-23.

Name: Tyson Walk

School: Unknown

The young Queenslander won the under 10 green balls doubles alongside Cairns’ Liam Howard at the 2023 Rod Laver Junior State Championships

Name: Leanne Abouhamad

Region: Met West

Leanne Abouhamad was named in the Queensland Schools 13-19 years merit representative side after a rousing 18 months.

Name: Jackson Treacy

Club: Malpass Tennis Centre

Originally a Morningside junior now under the watchful eye of Malpass Tennis, Treacy knows what it is like to win in the big league. He has previously won a medal at the National Singles) and it was no surprise to see the Iona College student named in the Queensland schools sports Merit team of 2023

Name: Preston Shawcross

Beenleigh tennis Lachlan Davidson, left, Preston Shawcross, right Cooper Mason
Beenleigh tennis Lachlan Davidson, left, Preston Shawcross, right Cooper Mason

Region: Logan

Preston team with Christian Joseph and Vivaan Nehra to represent the Queensland under 11 Reid Cup team at the Australian Teams Championships. He has always shown considerable promise, playing against boys older than him and hitting balls in backyard training sessions with his dad. He also made the Queensland schools merit side 10-12 years along with these up-and-coming talents from the Brisbane region: Daniel Abar (Met North), Rafael Fauster (Met West), Hope Johns (Met North), Christian Joseph (Met West), Jake Karathra (Met East), Zinta Marshall (Met West), Lucy Page (Met North) and Danica Todorovic (Met West)

Name: Jovana Petrovic

Tennis action from the 2020 Volkl Gold Coast Junior Championships. 12 & Under Girls Singles Winner Alize Yarwood, Runner-up Jovana Petrovic
Tennis action from the 2020 Volkl Gold Coast Junior Championships. 12 & Under Girls Singles Winner Alize Yarwood, Runner-up Jovana Petrovic

Region: Met East

Moreton Bay College student Petrovic was named in the Queensland Schools 13-19 years merit representative side after a rousing 18 months.

Tess Caldicott

Region: Met West

The former Sydneysider has seen the light and her reward was selection in the Queensland Schools 13-19 years merit representative side for 2022-23.

Name: Grace McCormack

Club: Coops

At the Queensland State Age Championships held in Rockhampton, northside talent Grace McCormack joined Chelsea Drummond in tussling with eventual winners Tash Fitzgerald and Vanessa Fitzgerald in the 10 years girls doubles final. Great effort again by McCormack.

Name: Tayla Hunter-Geppert

School: Canterbury College

A member of the Canterbury Taipans tennis club, she joined St Hilda’s School’s Summer Osborne in finishing runner-up in the 16 years girls doubles at the Queensland State Age Championships. Osborne was also runner up in the 16 years singles.

Name: Hayden Ballard

School: Clairvaux MacKillop College

Hayden won the under 18 intellectual impairment (PWII) singles division one at the Australian Tennis Championships. Earlier in the year Ballard was also runner up to the winner, fellow Queenslander Lawson Swain, in the 18 years Queensland State Age Championships singles final.

Name: Ruby Richardson

Region: Brisbane

A coach at Ian Malpass Tennis Centre, Richardson won the 18 years singles at the Queensland State Age Championships, then finished runner-up in the doubles alongside Sunshine Coast junior Hannah Thornton.

Runner up was Cairns junior Genevieve Lindsay, although Lindsay did win the doubles with FNQ teammate Zedneiyar Martilly Meafua-ure.

Name: Nicolas Rumsey

Region: Unknown

Rumsay joined Aaron Remedios in winning the 18 years doubles at the

Queensland State Age Championships staged in Rockhampton during September. The runners up were Ned Gething and Max Wilson

Name: Thomas Smith

School: Padua College

He may only be a Year 8 student, but Smith is a high achiever who played with Padua’s First IV during the entire season. Now that is a massive effort.

Smith is not the only young gun roaring through the ranks, with the College’s 7As tying for the premiership. Players involved in sharing the title were Jett Draper, Charlie Reynolds, Alexander Huffels, Lucas Scott and Jack Mangano

CAIRNS

Gabriel Weeks

Age: 18

Club: Cairns International Tennis Centre

Standout qualities: Plays right-handed and prides himself as a hardworker who loves to grind out games. Has been progressing through the UTR rankings and one of the premier players in Cairns.

Taichi Sato

Age: 17

Club: Edge Hill Tennis Club

Standout qualities: Super-talented player who’s working his way up the UTR rankings. An experienced player who has been playing competitively for 10 years.

Taichi Sato, 15, won the Queensland U15 singles champs at Rockhampton. Picture: Harry Murtough
Taichi Sato, 15, won the Queensland U15 singles champs at Rockhampton. Picture: Harry Murtough

Billy Haoda

Age: 17

Club: Cairns International Tennis Centre

Standout qualities: Haoda always pushes himself to the limit and has set his sights on playing tennis in college overseas.

Genevieve Lindsay

Age: 17

Club: Cairns International Tennis Centre

Standout qualities: Lindsay always puts in 100 per cent effort. She pushes her self to constantly improve and modify her game and has become one of the best local players.

Zedneiyar Martilly Meafua-Uren

Age: 16

Club: Cairns International Tennis Centre

Standout qualities: At 16-years-old, she has been around tennis for a long time with years of experience despite her youthful age. Is a strong trainer and has shown a natural talent for the game, winning numerous titles over the years.

Phoebe Cahill

Age: 16

Club: Edmonton Tennis Club

Standout qualities: Cahill is a deeply focused athlete. She recently had an unfortunate injury setback, but is slowly returning to her best form and is determined to reach new heights.

Phoebe Cahill. Picture: Guy Thomas
Phoebe Cahill. Picture: Guy Thomas

Kiralee Cook

Age: 14

Club: Cairns International Tennis Centre

Standout qualities:

Cook has recently raised the bar on her game and has brought more intensity to her training which has paid dividends. A player with huge potential.

Sophie Potter

Age: 14

Club: Cairns International Tennis Centre & Edge Hill Tennis Club

Standout qualities: A quiet achiever who has been noted as a silent assassin around the tennis centres. She’s usually on the front-foot and loves to attack the ball with prowess.

Karma Havini

Age: 13

Club: Cairns International Tennis Centre & Edge Hill Tennis Club

Standout qualities: A young gun with a limitless workrate. She moves around the court with ease and has the acceleration that majority of opponents can’t compete with.

Karma Havini, 12, of the Edge Hill Tennis Club, will play the Queensland Schools 12 and Under championships at Cairns International Tennis Centre, starting August 18. Picture: Brendan Radke
Karma Havini, 12, of the Edge Hill Tennis Club, will play the Queensland Schools 12 and Under championships at Cairns International Tennis Centre, starting August 18. Picture: Brendan Radke

Hamish Caruana

Age: 11

Club: Cairns International Tennis Centre

Standout qualities: At 11, the tremendously talented left-hander has a natural determination to be the best. He is the number one ranked player for his age group in the region.

Tennis young gun Liam Howard has won both the singles and doubles tournaments in the 10 years and under category at the recent JT Signature 500 Rod Laver Junior Queensland State Championships in Brisbane. Picture: Brendan Radke
Tennis young gun Liam Howard has won both the singles and doubles tournaments in the 10 years and under category at the recent JT Signature 500 Rod Laver Junior Queensland State Championships in Brisbane. Picture: Brendan Radke

Liam Howard

Age: 11

Club: Edmonton Tennis Club

Standout qualities: A gifted individual, Howard recently won both the singles and doubles tournaments at JT Signature 500 Rod Laver Junior Queensland State Championships in Brisbane.

Vanessa Fitzgerald

Age: 9

Club: Edmonton Tennis Club

Standout qualities: She is a wild player with a unique style of play. She works around the court endlessly and is very aggressive when striking the ball.

TOWNSVILLE

Rohan Hazratwala

Age: 16

Region: Townsville

Hazratwala took out the singles title at the South Australian Junior International champions in September this year, catapulting himself up the international junior rankings 52 places tow world No.448.

The Townsville junior then teamed up with his Brisbane Boys College teammates to claim the recent Secondary Schools National Boys’ Championships.

Action from the Pickerings Auto Group North Queensland Open at Tennis Townsville. Townsville's Rohan Hazratwala in doubles match. Picture: Evan Morgan
Action from the Pickerings Auto Group North Queensland Open at Tennis Townsville. Townsville's Rohan Hazratwala in doubles match. Picture: Evan Morgan

Rudy Thorogood

Age: 18

Region: Townsville

Thorogood has represented Queensland and peaked at No.1687 in the international junior rankings.

The talented North Queenslander moost recently competed in the M25 Cairns tournament.

Rose Bowl tennis. Rudy Thorogood (blue) vs. Josh Ryan. 20 August 2023 Southport Picture by Richard Gosling
Rose Bowl tennis. Rudy Thorogood (blue) vs. Josh Ryan. 20 August 2023 Southport Picture by Richard Gosling

Leo Petersen

Age: U11

Region: Townsville

One of the youngest members of this year’s North Queensland Tennis Team has shown great promise at a young age.

Mia Petersen

Age: U13

Region: Townsville

The older sister of Leo Peterson, Mia has become a regular in the North Queensland Tennis Team.

SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE feature: Townsville Central State School student Mia Petersen.
SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE feature: Townsville Central State School student Mia Petersen.

Chelsea Drummond

Age: 10

Region: Townsville

Drummond teamed up with Brisbane’s Grace McCormack at the Queensland State Age Championships held in Rockhampton, taking on eventual winners Tash Fitzgerald and Vanessa Fitzgerald in the 10 years girls doubles final.

Originally published as Queensland’s top junior tennis stars hoping to reach the Australian Open Grand Slam tournament one day

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/queenslands-top-junior-tennis-stars-hoping-to-reach-the-australian-open-grand-slam-tournament-one-day/news-story/788ed33c136eaef6e857afb19a7a35c9