Evonne Goolagong Cawley praises young talent 2023 National Indigenous Tennis Carnival in Darwin
Some of the country’s best aspiring Indigenous talent went head-to-head in the fourth National Indigenous Tennis Carnival. See all the winners here.
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Some of the country’s best young talent went head-to-head in the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival in front of one of Australia’s greatest champions.
Wiradjuri tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley, alongside Tennis NT president Steve Rossingh, was on hand to present trophies to the champions of the carnival’s fourth edition.
The carnival celebrates the culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through tennis in a four-day event centred around culture, community, education and wellbeing.
“I’m always so excited to come to the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival,” Goolagong Cawley said.
“I had such a great time connecting with all of the kids and people who have been a part of the Evonne Goolagong Foundation.
“It’s also special to present the awards at the end, because after the four days we become like family.
“By being part of this event we not only play and connect through tennis, but we also learn about culture, and that makes us all stronger.”
Queensland’s Giselle Kawane rose to the occasion on centre court in the final beating Sophie Foster from New South Wales (6-1 6-1) to win the 18-and-under girl’s competition.
Kawane said it was special to get the win, playing some of her best tennis, in front of her peers at the Darwin Tennis Stadium in Marrara.
“Playing in the finals of the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival was great. I had a wonderful match and crowd,” she said.
“It’s so lovely to play on centre court and have everyone watch, especially as we are all Indigenous, it feels more like a community. It’s so nice to see everyone here and play good tennis.”
Meanwhile, Charlie Pade from New South Wales also enjoyed a dominant win in the 18-and-under boys beating his fellow statesman Quincy Kahn (6-0 6-1) in the final.
“It’s pretty awesome, it’s been a great week down here, a lot of tough matches and I’m really happy to get the win,” Pade said.
“My goals in tennis are to just keep playing, keep enjoying it, and see where it takes me. I want to get as far as I can, so will just keep training and playing hard.
“I love coming to events like this, to experience culture, it definitely keeps you more grounded, and knowing where you come from is such an important part of your life.”
And Victorian Lewis Murray came out on top in the 14-and-under mixed competition for the second year in a row.
His final against Queenslander Ryan Bolger came to an untimely end when Bolger was forced to retire with the first at 5-3.
“It’s pretty cool to win two National Indigenous Carnival titles in a row, it feels great, but obviously an unfortunate end to the match,” Murray said.
“I feel for Ryan, but he had a great tournament, so I congratulate him on reaching the final.
“My goal in tennis is to make it to the highest level of tennis, maybe become a Grand Slam champion one day.”
The NT weren’t out of the medals at their home tournament with team Palmerston winning the Team Hot Shots (red ball) competition, while Queensland won the team based future stars comp.
Australian Open ball kid trials were also held as part of an initiative to connect grassroots tennis to the grand slam.
As such 16 First Nations contestants will be selected from the tournament to take part as ball kids for the 2024 Grand Slam, to be announced in coming weeks.
National Indigenous Tennis Carnival 2023 final results
18-and-under championships
Girls: [1] Giselle Kawane (Qld) def. [2] Sophie Foster (NSW) 6-1 6-1
Boys: [1] Charlie Pade (NSW) def. [2] Quincy Kahn (NSW) 6-0 6-1
14-and-under championships
Mixed: [1] Lewis Murray (Vic) def. [2] Ryan Bolger (Qld) 5-3 Ret.
Evonne Goolagong Cawley Medal of Excellence (leadership)
Jayden Kemp (SA)
Ash Barty Cup (aggregate best performing on-court team)
New South Wales
Deadly Award winners (peer voted)
ACT: Xavier Williams-Arena
NSW: Jacob Issaoui Slade
Qld: Kelsey Weribone
SA: Malachi Varcoe
Vic: Tyrese Walsh
Tas: Hunter Richardson
WA: Mitch Durant
NT: Kimally Puruntatameri (Tiwi Islands)
Aussie legend opens National Indigenous Tennis Carnival
More than 160 aspiring tennis stars were greeted by legendary 14-time Grand Slam winner Evonne Goolagong Cawley to start the fourth National Indigenous Tennis Carnival in Darwin.
The event, which celebrates both Indigenous culture and opening opportunities in the sport of tennis for youth, runs from August 10-13.
And players from every state and Territory, including seven NT communities have travelled to the Top End to take part.
The competitors will take part in a range of activities focused on culture and wellbeing with the overall aim of bringing more tennis opportunities to grassroots Indigenous players.
Goolagong Cawley said watching the young Indigenous players show their skills was like watching her family flourishing in the sport she became famous for.
She related their journey to her own where it took being noticed in her home town to go on to the next level, but getting that opportunity was the most important thing of all.
“I started at a time when there wasn’t many Aboriginals playing tennis at all,” she said.
“I came from a town in New South Wales where we were the only Aboriginal family, but the local townspeople saw me hitting against the wall every day and saw me improve every day.
“So they raised funds for me to go to Sydney to enter events, and I wouldn’t be here today unless I had that initial support.
“And I’m so pleased to see all the kids in our program who have stayed in school, went on to uni and chased their dreams all around Australia.
“It’s not just about tennis but about learning from each other and learning from each other’s country.”
Also, taking place is the Australian Open ball kid trials with 16 Indigenous participants from the carnival set to be selected to be part of the Australian Open ball kid squad.
Dylan Archer, 15, was one of the Territorians selected to go along to Melbourne earlier this year, and was hoping to make selection again for the 2024 Open.
“I got selected last year from this carnival which meant at the start of the year I got to go to the Australian Open,” Archer said.
“It was great, the atmosphere was just lovely, the people in the crowd yelling out to their favourite players, it was really cool.
“I’m going to try again and hopefully I can get in again as last year will be my last chance to be a ball kid.
”I’m excited for the comp, I get to see all my friends from interstate, it’s just going to be a great experience.”
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