The 2015 Canberra International has been nationally recognised as the Most Outstanding Professional Tournament of the Year at the Australian Tennis Awards.
The Tennis ACT team was bestowed the award at a gala celebration at Crown Palladium in Melbourne on Monday 28 November, attended by the who’s who of Australian tennis.
This is the first time Tennis ACT has been awarded an Australian Tennis Award. Previous ACT winners include Canberra coach Brett Lennard, who in 2010 was awarded the National Coaching Excellence-Club Award, two-time winner Ros Balodis for Most Outstanding 35+ Tennis Senior in 2013 and 2014, and current world number 13 Nick Kyrgios, who received the Newcombe Medal in 2014.
Tournament Director and Tennis ACT CEO, Ross Triffitt, accepted the award on behalf of Tennis ACT and said it is a great honor to win, particularly in the tournament’s inaugural year.
“After the redevelopment of the Canberra Tennis Centre, we hadn’t had a professional tournament [in Canberra] for nearly 6 years,” he said.
“So to have the Canberra International back on the calendar was a success in itself, but to win most outstanding tournament is immensely exciting.”
“Our team is fabulous and they’re the reason we’re here being honored. They lead by example and we have a tremendous team of volunteers in Canberra.”
The 2015 Canberra International was held at the Canberra Tennis Centre from 31 October to 8 November 2015. The redeveloped centre features 28 tennis courts – including synthetic grass, Italian clay and hardcourt surfaces, as well as four ANZ Tennis Hot Shots courts.
“It [the redevelopment] was essential,” said Triffitt. “The venue had fallen into disrepair and it really needed to be renewed. Since we’ve done the major upgrade it’s probably one of the best facilities in the country and we’re really proud of it.”
“I’d like to acknowledge the ACT Government for their support through the venue’s redevelopment, and also the local Canberra community, who continue to support the events Tennis ACT strive to bring to Canberra each year.”
The $100K combined men’s and women’s events attracted 100 players from 17 countries including Australia, USA, Russia, Great Britain, and Japan.
Behind the scenes, the tournament was made possible by 13 tournament staff, 4 stringers, 56 officials, 30 ballkids and 36 volunteers. It was also supported by a number of local and national sponsors including Tennis Australia, the ACT Government and Maxim Chartered Accountants.
The economic benefit the tournament brought to the capital is estimated at just under one million dollars.
The Newcombe Medal is the premier award presented on a night that recognises players, coaches, clubs, communities, volunteers and officials for their service to the sport.
Dylan Alcott capped off an incredible year by being awarded the highest honour in Australian tennis, the Newcombe Medal.
The world No.1 accepted the Newcombe Medal from the award’s namesake, Australian tennis legend John Newcombe.
The awards ceremony has been held annually since 2010.
For a full list of award winners from the 2016 Newcombe Medal, Australian Tennis Awards, click here.
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