Queensland's Masters tennis community has once again showcased its strength on the international stage, with several players proudly representing Australia at the 2026 ITF Masters World Team Championships in Rome, Italy.
Competing across four venues throughout the Italian capital, players faced not only some of the world's best Masters athletes, but also challenging conditions, with temperatures consistently above 34°C. Play was even suspended one day when temperatures climbed to 37°C.
Among those flying the Queensland flag were Brisbane's Sharon Hoole, Chrissie Beehler and Jay Pike, alongside Gold Coast's Jane Taylor, who all represented Australia in the team event.
Australia's 55+ Women's team faced a difficult draw, coming up against eventual champions Great Britain and top eight finishers Spain during the pool stages. While results meant they narrowly missed the 1-8 championship play-offs, the team finished the tournament strongly, defeating Portugal and Ireland to claim ninth place overall.
The Queensland contingent also enjoyed several strong individual results.
Jay Pike advanced to the semi-finals of the 55+ Mixed Doubles alongside Sammy-Jo Ewart, and reached the quarterfinals of the Men's Doubles with Marty Richards.
Sharon Hoole reached the second round of the Women's Singles before being eliminated by one of the tournament's Italian seeds. In the Mixed Doubles, Hoole partnered husband Matt Hoole, taking the opening set to a tiebreak before falling to third seeds Isabelle Gemmel and Portugal's Nuno Delfino 7-6 6-1.
Hoole also partnered long-time friend Chrissie Beehler in the Women's Doubles, with the Queensland pair winning two rounds before reaching the quarterfinals, in which they were defeated by the tournament's top seeds.
For Hoole and Beehler, the tournament held extra significance. The pair first met as nine-year-olds while competing at their first Queensland State Age Championships at Milton. They have remained best friends and regular doubles partners ever since, making the opportunity to represent Australia together in Rome more than five decades later, a particularly special moment.
The championships also featured some of the biggest names in Masters tennis, including former world No.1 doubles player and multiple Grand Slam champion Paul Haarhuis, who, alongside former world No. 23 Natalia Medvedeva, entered the 55+ Mixed Doubles as the tournament's top seeds and progressed to the semi-finals.
The performances in Rome continue to highlight the depth and quality of Queensland's Masters tennis community, with local players once again proving they can compete with the world's best while proudly representing both Queensland and Australia on the international stage.
With the 2026 ITF Masters World Team Championships now complete, Tennis Queensland congratulates Sharon Hoole, Chrissie Beehler, Jay Pike and Jane Taylor on their fantastic achievements in Rome. Their performances, sportsmanship and commitment to representing both Queensland and Australia on the world stage are a testament to the strength of our Masters tennis community, and we look forward to seeing what they achieve next.