The dust has settled on the courts of the Katherine Tennis Club, and if the 2026 Katherine Open proved anything, it’s that this tournament wears its title of “Most Outstanding Tournament of the Year” (for 2024 and 2025) with pride.
Running over the May Day long weekend (May 2nd – 4th), the event saw over 113 players descend on Katherine. Representation was strong from across the Territory, with competitors and coaches traveling from the Darwin International Tennis Centre (DITC), Gardens Tennis, and Tennis Palmerston to join the local Katherine Tennis Club talent.
High-Stakes Showdowns: The Open Finals
The Men’s and Women’s Open draws delivered the kind of drama you’d expect from a Newcombe Medal-nominated event. All three major finals pushed the players to their limits, ultimately being decided by Match-Tiebreaks (MTB).
- Katherine Refrigeration Men’s Open Singles: Top seed Andy Bhardwaj (DITC Head Coach) faced off against local star Lincoln Pratt. Pratt, who is soon headed to the USA for college tennis, pushed the veteran to the edge. Bhardwaj eventually secured the title with a 6-4, 1-6, (10-5) victory.
- Contour Men’s Open Doubles: Lincoln Pratt got his revenge later in the day. Partnering with Ben Proctor, Pratt & Proctor overcame the DITC coaching duo of Andy Bhardwaj and Hayden Litis in a mirrored scoreline of 6-4, 4-6, (10-5).
- Katherine Refrigeration Women’s Open Singles: It was an all-Palmerston affair as Taylor Albury and Caitlyn Casey battled for the crown. In a gruelling baseline exchange, Albury took the win 6-4, 3-6, (10-5).
- Contour Women’s Open Doubles: Tournament Director Emily Ooms-Webb (Pathways Lead, Tennis NT) stepped away from the desk and onto the court, partnering with DITC player Lucy McNaught to claim the Women’s Open Doubles title.
See the full list of winners HERE
A Word from the Performance Bench
Martin Rocca, Tennis NT’s Talent & Coach Manager, noted a significant shift in the quality of play compared to his first exposure to Territory tennis at the 2025 Katherine Open.
“I saw a big difference with last year’s performance… more consistency, longer rallies, and more competitive matches,” Rocca remarked.
While praising the transition of players moving toward the net rather than retreating to the baseline, Rocca noted that future training would focus on “defence out of the comfort zone” and better placement on approach shots.
Beyond the Baseline: Culture and Community
What sets the Katherine Open apart isn’t just the ranking points—it’s the atmosphere. The Red Ball Rumble once again provided inclusive social fun, proving tennis is for everyone, regardless of age or experience.
Off-court, the famous pot-luck dinner remained the heart of the weekend, bringing players, families, and volunteers together to celebrate the unique social fabric of the Katherine Tennis Club.
Gratitude on and off the court
An event of this scale is a massive team effort. A huge thank you goes to the volunteers and the Katherine Tennis Club’s dedicated sponsors who make this tournament possible:
| Major Sponsors | Katherine Refrigeration, Contour Hotel Katherine, Katherine Club |
| Rally Partners | Katherine Physio & Centre For Movement, Jo Hersey MLA, Caravans In Katherine, Intersport Katherine |
Another shout out to the wider NT tennis community – the players, parents, coaches, and the tireless tournament staff and referee – Martin Oosthuysen and the volunteers who ensured the weekend ran as smoothly and successfully as possible.
Congratulations to all participants – we look forward to seeing the growth continue for the rest of the year!
If you missed out on the fun – or the points – the next event is coming soon! Enter NOW to the historical 99th NT Open Championships!
ENTRIES CLOSE: Thursday 14th of May
START: Friday 22nd of May
FINALS: Sunday 24th of May
VENUE: Darwin International Tennis Centre
PRIZEMONEY: Total of $10,000
ENTER NOW
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