Barty’s No.1 in the eyes of team talent

with Leanne Evans

IT’S undoubtedly one of the most talent-soaked tournaments on Tennis Australia’s junior calendar.

It’s also the same tournament which, in 2008, featured Queensland’s newly crowned WTA world No.1 Ash Barty.

It begins this Sunday, it’s a five-day affair, it’s at KDV Sport in Carrara: The 2019 11s and 13s Australian Team Championships. And for some of the Gold Coast’s very own budding big hitters, it has blocked out their calendar for next week.

Almost half of Team Queensland is from the Gold Coast. Five of our hardestworking tiny tennis talents have earned themselves a place on the team and a new Queensland maroon-themed wardrobe.

Congratulations to Emmerson Jones (under-11 girls), Cody Atkinson (under-11 boys), Hana Sonton (under-13 girls), Thomas Gadecki (under-13 boys) and Hayden boys).

Queensland’s four teams will be joined by 35 other Jones (under-13 squads, built with top talent from Queensland’s fellow states and territories, as well as Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Pacific Oceania.

Put all of that together and you have 125 members of the next gen in the one place at the one time – that being, next week, on the Gold Coast.

With players, managers and support crews assembling in town on Friday, they’ll be treated to much more than just tennis.

On Saturday afternoon, it’s off to the NRL at Robina stadium to see the Gold Coast Titans take on the Manly Sea Eagles and then on Tuesday, it’s a scheduled day off to soak up the unmissable sights of the Gold Coast.

And in true KDV style, the team are turning it on for their players and guests with fitness centre and swimming pool access, mini golf and driving range experiences plus gourmet breakfast, lunch and dinner dining options from their courtside cafe.

In light of Queensland having a newly crowned grand slam champion and world No.1 in Barty, the side effects exceed more than just excitement and idolisation.

For our next generation of tennis talent it’s having a local hero, someone who once stepped foot on to the same courts they have and once competed in the same tournaments they have.

FOR OUR NEXT GENERATION OF TENNIS TALENT IT’S HAVING A LOCAL HERO (IN BARTY)

Picture: SUPPLIED Aussie rising star Blake Ellis, 20, joins the Queensland under-13 boys team ahead of the 2019 Australian Teams Championships at KDV Sport. From left: Ellis, Thomas Gadecki, Hayden Jones, Guatham Santosh and team coach Gavin van Peperzeel.