Tennis star Andriana Petrakis wins the Advertiser Foundation $10k Young Achiever Woman of the Year scholarship
A rising tennis star has been awarded a $10k scholarship from The Advertiser Foundation at the Woman of the Year Awards.
Young trailblazing tennis star, Andriana Petrakis has been awarded The Advertiser Foundation Young Achiever scholarship at the The Advertiser Sunday Mail SkyCity Woman of the Year Awards 2025.
The $10k scholarship supported by The Advertiser Foundation is intended to be used for Ms Petrakis’ education and towards her tennis career.
It was a thumbs up from Andriana Petrakis as she raced onto the stage to accept her $10k Young Achiever Scholarship.
“I feel so privileged about this because what it means to me is due to my dedication, determination, hard work, commitment... I continue to (keep) my positive attitude while never giving up during my tennis career,” Ms Petrakis said.
The sports star’s journey into professional tennis started when she was first enrolled in the sport as a nine-year-old.
Unable to afford occupational therapy for her disability, her parents hoped the sport would assist Ms Petrakis build hand eye co-ordination, movement and social skills.
Fast forward a decade and Ms Petrakis represented Australia at the 2023 Virtus Global Games which is the world’s largest elite sports event for athletes with an intellectual disability.
She is now ranked number five internationally and number two in Australia in the women’s singles People with an Intellectual Impairment category and was awarded Tennis SA’s Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability in 2023.
Not only is Ms Petrakis a talented sportswoman, she is also a passionate autism advocate and is an assistant coach with Tennis SA’s Pathway Program where she inspires other participants with disabilities.
Andriana was nominated several times for the scholarship by members of the public who said they hoped the money would help her “achieve all her dreams” and become world number one in tennis.
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“I feel very proud, humbled, grateful, delighted and honoured..to make a huge, special difference to others in the community,” Ms Petrakis said on Thursday night.
“I have been encouraging others to play tennis...if some of those people with disabilities want to have a go at playing tennis one day it would be an awesome experience.
“Everyone, let’s work together as a team, stay strong, stay happy, spread kindness to each other, love your own families, keep following your dreams...continue to keep living life to the fullest and remember to keep working hard.”
Originally published as Tennis star Andriana Petrakis wins the Advertiser Foundation $10k Young Achiever Woman of the Year scholarship
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