Gadecki back to defend cup
TENNIS: Gold Coast teenager Olivia Gadecki is looking to maintain her successful bond with the Garden City when she defends her Horizon Accounting Toowoomba Easter Gold Cup title this weekend.
Fifteen-year-old Gadecki is seeded at number three in this year’s women’s Silver Cup as she looks to emulate her tournament win last year over Somer Dalla-Bona.
Gadecki – who was also a 13year-old Silver Cup semi-finalists in 2016 – described her year as ‘up and down” since her 2017 Toowoomba success, but is hoping to regain some of her best form on her return to the James St courts.
“Winning my first Platinum Tournament here last year is something I’ll never forget,” Gadecki said yesterday while watching her brother Adam in qualifying action.
“My 12 months since have been full of ups and down of course, but I’ve definitely learned from them.
“I’ve been travelling. I went to Asia a little bit last year and then went to nationals in December.
“I thought I did really well there and at the start of this year I played Australian Open Juniors.
“That was an unbelievable
experience and I got to play the girl who won, so it was really good.”
Gadecki said the quality of this year’s draw would provide her with a stiff challenge.
“I took a month off and have only been back training for a week and a half,” Gadecki said.
“I just want to go out and enjoy every match.”
Gadecki plays her first match today at 10.15am.
Men’s qualifying top-seed Winter Meagher is also out to continue on a possible Pro Tour path when he looks to go deep into this year’s Gold Cup draw.
“I’ve had some good results here and I’m just back from playing some Pro Tour events,” the 19-year-old said.
“That’s the level I’m looking to reach and getting to play against the top guys here gives you the chance to compete against that calibre of player.”