2 January 2019 | Tennis West

Noah O’Donnell with Team USA’s Frances Tiafoe and Serena Williams and Team Switzerland’s Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic.

 

At just 9 years of age, young Tennis fanatic Noah O’Donnell was the envy of the Nation, if not the World. Standing between Tennis greats, Roger Federer and Serena Williams, Noah was tasked with the coin toss between the USA and Switzerland Mixed Doubles match, at last night’s sell out Mastercard Hopman Cup match.

 

Noah’s selection came about through his involvement with the ANZ Tennis Hot Shots Program at the Blue Gum Park Tennis Club.

 

The Blue Gum Park Tennis Club youngster, trains with Coach Matt Gibson through the Tennis Excellence system directed by Dan Sewell.

 

“I’ve been playing for about four years now, my Coach nominated me for the opportunity to be a coin toss kid at this year’s Mastercard Hopman Cup. I was pretty excited to be chosen and couldn’t believe it when I found out I’d be tossing the coin for the USA v Switzerland game,” said Noah.

 

Noah thanks a friend for the introduction to the sport that he now aspires to play professionally, claiming Federer and Rafael Nadal as his top idols.

 

“Tennis is such a great game. I train three times a week, play pennants on a Sunday and play with my Dad whenever I can. I especially love staying up late with Mum to watch the games on the television,” said Noah

 

Dad, Brett O’Donnell, attests to Noah’s enthusiasm and ambition, saying the holidays have been jam packed with Tennis.

 

“We’re always down at the courts, and if we’re not playing the game, we’re watching it. It such an honour for Noah to have been involved in this year’s Mastercard Hopman Cup,” said Mr O’Donnell.

 

In a World first for Tennis, Federer and Williams faced off with respective mixed doubles partners Belinda Bencic and Frances Tiafoe to a history making sell-out crowd of 14,064.

 

Switzerland ultimately defeated USA 2-1 after the live mixed doubles saw Bencic / Federer (SUI) defeat Williams / Tiafoe (USA) 4-2 4-3(3), following expected Singles match victories from both top ranked players, Federer (6-4 6-1) and Williams (4-6 6-4 6-3).

 

Mastercard Hopman Cup play continues throughout the week at RAC Arena. To find out more visit hopmancup.com