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Tennis NT is thrilled to welcome home our very own NT Ballkids after an unforgettable stint at the Australian Open 2026<\/strong>. Taking their skills from the local courts to the world stage, these two proved that the Territory\u2019s talent is second to none.<\/p>\n Darwin International Tennis Centre player and “Top Gun” ballkid Riley Clark<\/strong> truly rose to the occasion. Riley found himself at the heart of the action on major stages like the 1573 Arena<\/strong>, providing seamless service for tennis heavyweights including Paula Badosa<\/strong> and Marin \u010cili\u0107<\/strong> and up-and-coming Australian Thalia Kokkinis.<\/p>\n Between the high-speed serves and precision rolling, Riley even took the time to share his journey with the local community, appearing on ABC Darwin Radio<\/strong> to discuss his favourite moments from the Melbourne Park atmosphere.<\/p>\n Joining him was Manimba Dhamarrandji<\/strong>, representing Gan Gan, East Arnhem Land, and First Nations Ballkid from the NITC 2025. For Manimba, the AO 2026 was a “money-can\u2019t-buy” opportunity to witness the professional game from the best seat in the house.<\/p>\n He shared the court with rising Australian stars like Maddison Inglis<\/strong> and Jason Kubler<\/strong>, bringing a piece of the Territory spirit to every match. Manimba is returning home with a suitcase full of souvenirs and a wealth of experience, already eyeing off his next big tennis adventure.<\/p>\nHigh Stakes and Big Names<\/strong><\/h3>\n
A Money-Can\u2019t-Buy Experience<\/strong><\/h3>\n