The largest Blind and Low Vision Tennis tournament in Australian history took place at The Drive earlier this month.
46 tennis players from around the country, including 19 from South Australia, are participating in 12 events over three days.
The field included six athletes who won medals at the International Blind Sports Federation World Games in August, including three dual gold medallists, Ross Patterson (Vic), Michael Leigh (NSW) and Grace Hobbs (NSW).
South Australian highlights included Isaiah Muller competing in and winning his first B1 singles event, while Max Oliver won the junior division 2 event and was runner up in the B4 doubles. Reuben Fairbank won the B3 doubles event and was runner up in the B3 singles.
Modified equipment, including audible tennis balls with a bell, are utilised to ensure that players can compete in one of four classifications of Blind and Low Vision Tennis.
The tournament built on the success of the Blind and Low Vision Tennis pathway in South Australia. Under the leadership of coach Nick Bradley, Foundation Tennis Development at Somerton Park Tennis Club now runs the largest Blind and Low Vision Tennis program in Australia, offering social, participation and high performance pathways.
Blind and Low Vision Tennis is set to feature at the inaugural All Abilities Day to be held as part of the Adelaide International on Wednesday 10 January 2024. This event will provide an opportunity to highlight the inclusion and diversity programs on offer around the state, as well as welcome new people to the sport with registrations now open.
Congratulations to the following players:
B1 Open Singles
Winner: Isaiah Muller
Runner up: Janet Etchells
B2 Mens Singles
Winner: Oliver Fanshawe
Runner up: Ethan Cook
B3 Mens Singles
Winner: Michael Leigh
Runner up: Reuben Fairbank
B4 Mens Singles
Winner: Ross Patterson
Runner up: Arato Katsuda-Green
B2 Womens Singles
Winner: Courtney Webeck
Runner up: Candice Kennedy
B3-4 Womens Singles
Winner: Grace Hobbs
Runner up: Candice Kennedy
B2 Open Doubles
Winner: Ethan Cook/Mark Haskett
Runner up: Scott Dann/Ned Brewer Maiga
B3 Open Doubles
Winner: Reuben Fairbank/Matthew McCarthy
Runner up: Mick Butler/Scott Peucker
B4 Open Doubles
Winner: Arato Katsuda-Green/Sean Russo
Runner up: Max Oliver/Ross Patterson
Junior Singles – Division 1
Winner: Oliver Fanshawe
Runner up: Arato Katsuda-Green
Junior Singles – Division 2
Winner: Max Oliver
Runner up: David Edgecombe
Junior Doubles
Winner: Matthew Divito/David Edgecombe
Runner up: Bo Buakhao/Shaquana Walker
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