Hamish Bartos
Hamish has been playing tennis since he was two and a half after being introduced to the sport by his older brother. He went on to play junior competitions before playing in Junior ITF tournaments and now, Tennis SA State League and ITF World Tennis Tour tournaments. Hamish was a part of the Tennis SA Junior State League and State League premiership winning teams in 2021. He is currently running his own tennis academy at Willunga Tennis Club. Hamish is looking forward to showcasing tennis in regional South Australia through Tennis SA State League All Stars and using the opportunity to encourage junior development.
Jieyi Chen
Jieyi Chen started playing tennis at the age of five. After taking a few years off during juniors, she has played junior competition, senior competition and Tennis SA State League over the past decade. She has coached at Hectorville, East Torrens Kensington Gardens and Glenunga Tennis Clubs. Most recently she has been playing college tennis for Montana State University. Jieyi is looking forward to returning home from the United States and being a part of the South Australian tennis community again. This will be the first tine Jieyi has been a part of the Tennis SA State League All Stars and she is excited to meet her teammates and visit the Limestone Coast.
Dale Nixon
Dale started playing tennis in the Gawler region as a six-year-old. At the age of 10, Dale moved to Tea Tree Gully Tennis Club, going on to be a part of their Tennis SA State League premiership winning team in 2021. Dale has played college tennis in California, club tennis in Germany and is continuing to travel for tournaments internationally. Dale is a coach at Gawler, Para Hills and Trinity Gardens Tennis Clubs. Dale is looking forward to visiting the Limestone Coast for the first time. He is excited to travel with the All Stars team and to be able to showcase tennis in regional South Australia.
Isabella O’Reilly
The youngest member of the Tennis SA State League All Stars at 15, Isabella O’Reilly started playing tennis at the age of six. Her mum and grandparents have all played competitive tennis and started Isabella on her tennis journey. Starting with Tennis Hot Shots Green Ball, Isabella has played at Peake Gardens Riverside Tennis Club from junior competition through to Tennis SA State League. She has played in the 14/u Australian Claycourt Championships, represented South Australia at the Pizzey Cup and played in the Rafa Nadal Masters event in Melbourne…which included a meet and greet with Rafa! Isabella is excited to explore regional South Australia with the All Stars and is looking forward to being a part of the community events.
Hayley Riessen
Hayley Riessen is a three-time Tennis SA State League All Star. She started playing tennis at the age of nine before taking up competition for Summertown Tennis Club at 12 years of age. Based in regional South Australia, Hayley has been a part of the regional pathway over many years. She has represented Hills Fleurieu at the State Foundation Cup on multiple occasions and was a part of the team who won the regional championship in 2017. She has also represented South Australia at a national level and has travelled to America to train and play at an international level. Hayley is excited to be a part of the camaraderie and fun that is the Tennis SA State League All Stars team environment, and is also excited to hit the court alongside the Ballkid Squad!
Kristina Tai
16-year-old Kristina started playing tennis at the age of nine. Earlier this year, she received the Tennis SA Junior State League Player of the Year award, won the 16/u Carter, Altman and Penfold Award and played in the Tennis SA State League grand final for Memorial Drive Tennis Club. Kristina has been competing internationally and currently sits at a career high junior world ranking of No.296. She has been a singles finalist on two occasions and has won three ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors doubles titles this year, including one in Sydney and two in Darwin. This will be Kristina’s second time as part of the All Stars after participating in the Riverland event in 2021.
Sean Van Rensburg
Sean started his tennis career at the age of four in South Africa, with his parents, sister and grandparents all keen tennis players. Sean moved to Australia at the age of eight and started playing tournaments. He’s represented South Australia at the national level and represented Australia in the Junior Davis Cup. Sean claimed his first ATP points at the City of Playford Tennis International in 2022. He continues to play on the ITF World Tennis Tour and has plans of playing club tennis in Germany next year. Off court, Sean has been a tennis coach since 2017. Sean was a part of the Tennis SA State League All Stars winning team on the Eyre Peninsula in 2021 and is looking forward to putting on a great show in the Limestone Coast. He will be visiting the region for the first time and is excited to meet new people and see what the Limestone Coast is all about.
Ashwin Vijayaragavan
Ashwin Vijayaragavan started playing tennis at the age of 11, going on to play college tennis for the University of Texas where he claimed back-to-back all-rounder and Player of the Year awards. He has experienced great success at an international level, representing India in the Davis Cup in 2013 and reaching a world ranking of 570. Ashwin is a performance tennis coach at Tea Tree Gully Tennis Club, working with elite juniors. Ashwin is looking forward to being a part of community events taking place as part of the Tennis SA State League All Stars and getting more people to participate in the sport.
The Tennis SA State League All Stars will be joined by the following Limestone Coast All Stars:
Bianca Cunneen
Bianca started playing tennis for Kingston Tennis Club at the age of seven. She moved to boarding school in Adelaide, going on to play tennis for her school, Prospect and Marion Tennis Clubs before moving back to Kingston. After a few years off, Bianca returned to Kingston Tennis Club, taking up the role of women’s captain, as well as some junior coaching. Bianca won the regional state 14/u girls championship as a junior, and has participated in State Foundation Cup and Country Carnival over the years. Bianca excited to take her place in the All Stars team representing the Limestone Coast and be involved in the weekend.
Leanne Graetz
Leanne has been involved in Lucindale Tennis Club and Southern Ports Tennis Association for over 45 years. During this time, she has held roles such as President and Vice President and is a life member of both the club and association. Her tennis highlights include being able to play competition alongside daughter, Melissa and son, Sam. She has competed in the Australian Masters Games in Alice Springs and the World Masters Games in Sydney alongside sister, Cheryl and cousin, Gary. Leanne is a little nervous about hitting the court with the All Stars but is honoured to have been asked as one of the older players in the association who is still playing at the top level.
Sam Graetz
Sam started playing tennis at around five years of age. At around 15 years of age, Sam made the decision to play cricket alongside his mates and took some time away from tennis until last year. Now, he is back playing association competition for Lucindale Tennis Club and is enjoying being back. He is looking forward to the challenge of playing as part of the Tennis SA State League All Stars.
Eliza Handbury
Eliza played junior tennis and travelled to junior tournaments until she was around 14 years of age. Eliza continued to play until year 12, before taking a break from the sport until around 10 years ago. Since then, she has returned to playing tennis and won the Lucindale Easter Tournament A grade ladies singles tournament two years ago. Eliza is heavily involved in the Lucindale Tennis Club and Southern Ports Tennis Association committees, and has been a driving force behind the Tennis SA State League All Stars event at the local level where she is excited to showcase the facility and club.
Matt Menz
Matt started playing tennis at the age of 10. He has spent most of his tennis career playing in the country and is a hands-on club member at Kingston Tennis Club. Matt spent four seasons in Adelaide playing for St Peters Tennis Club, including winning a division one title in 2019. Matt is looking forward to playing with and alongside the State League players as part of the Tennis SA State League All Stars.
Poppy Moyle-Read
Poppy has been playing tennis since the age of four, going on to compete in junior and senior competition, as well as become a Tennis Hot Shots Coach. She has been a part of the regional pathway, playing in the State Foundation Cup in Berri over many years. In her final year at the tournament, Poppy won the individual event, the best moment of her tennis career so far! She is excited to be a part of the Tennis SA State League All Stars event and to play against some of the top-level players in the state.
Egan Reginer
Egan has played tennis for 15 years. He played Drive Tennis for Immanuel College in Adelaide during 2014, experiencing playing tennis on Centre Court at The Drive. Egan coached at West Lakes Tennis Club for three years before moving to the South East. He has played at Robe Tennis Club for five years, has won two division one premierships and is the President of the club. Egan is looking forward to playing against the All Stars, is hoping to learn a few new things and enjoy the experience.
Andrew van den Hurk
Andrew van den Hurk has played tennis for most of his life, starting from age seven. Andrew has won the men’s singles tournament at the Lucindale Easter Tournament on three occasions, won the men’s singles tournament at Country Carnival on seven occasions and has been a part of men’s open division winning team at Country Carnival on multiple occasions. He is currently playing division one tennis for Uniting Tennis Club in Mount Gambier. Andrew is heavily involved in the sport off court, is a part of various committees at club and association level, and is President of the Mount Gambier and Districts Tennis Association. Andrew is looking forward to the challenge of the Tennis SA State League All Stars and the opportunity to play against new people. He is also excited to see the event showcase the Limestone Coast region.
Latest
SA