25 November 2025 | Tennis Queensland

Queensland’s tennis community recently gathered for the 2025 Queensland Tennis Awards presented by Higgins, celebrating the achievements of athletes, coaches, clubs, volunteers, and supporters who continue to elevate the sport across the state. Hosted in the Grand Room at the W Brisbane, the evening provided the perfect backdrop to recognise excellence across 17 award categories. 

Tennis icons Casey Dellacqua and Todd Woodbridge returned once again as the evening’s MCs, bringing their charm and tennis expertise to guide the audience through the night’s formalities. The evening unfolded with a sit-down dinner, encouraging attendees to mingle, share stories, and celebrate the accomplishments that shape Queensland tennis. 

A highlight of the night was a live Q&A with former world No.1 and three-time Grand Slam champion Ash Barty, who shared stories from her career, her life beyond the tour, and her passion for inspiring the next generation. Her thoughtful reflections resonated deeply with the room, offering a rare glimpse into the mindset of one of Australia’s most admired athletes. 

In addition to recognising the successes of Queensland’s tennis community, the evening featured a raffle, offering guests the chance to win a selection of prizes. Among the sought-after items were tickets to the 2026 Brisbane International with a behind-the-scenes tour, a signed racquet from tennis legends Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka, and a signed 2025 Brisbane International poster. These prizes, along with others, added an extra level of excitement to the night. 

The overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees highlighted the success of the event and the importance of celebrating the people who make Queensland tennis thrive. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the Queensland Tennis Awards and a heartfelt thank you to the event partners and sponsors for their continued support in bringing the Queensland Tennis Awards to life. 

2025 Award Winners: 

Most Outstanding Club – Metro: 

Redland Bay Tennis Club 

Most Outstanding Club – Regional/Rural: 

Cairns International Tennis Centre  

Geoffrey E Griffith Volunteer Achievement Award:  

Gail Bates 

Ashley Cooper Medal – Athlete of the Year: 

Kimberly Birrell 

Anthony Richardson – Regional Female Junior Athlete of the Year: 

Vanessa Fitzgerald 

Eddie Machin – Regional Male Junior Athlete of the Year: 

Ben Wenzel 

Wendy Turnbull Medal – Female Junior Athlete of the Year: 

Emerson Jones 

Wendy Turnbull Medal – Male Junior Athlete of the Year: 

Ben Wenzel 

Coaching Excellence – Club: 

Tim Low 

Coaching Excellence – Development: 

Nathan Eshmade 

Coaching Excellence – Performance: 

Chris Mahony 

Excellence in Officiating: 

Eric Pretty 

Most Outstanding 30+ Tennis Master: 

Kerryn Cyprien 

Most Outstanding School: 

Kelvin Grove State College 

Most Outstanding Tournament: 

2025 O8k J125 CBC Green Townsville Open Age – Western Suburbs (Northern Skies) 

Most Outstanding Inclusion Initiative: 

TennisGear Shaw Park Tennis Centre 

Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability: 

Hunter Thompson 

Regional Shield:  

Sunshine Coast Regional Assembly