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21 January 2025 | Tennis Victoria

Over the past week, we had the privilege of speaking with several Victorian Ball Kids about their journeys in becoming part of the Australian Open (AO) Ball Kid team and the memorable moments they’ve experienced so far. At Tennis Victoria, we believe that sport should be accessible to everyone, and that tennis is truly a sport for life. In upholding this sentiment, we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight and celebrate the inclusive Ball Kids who contribute to the success of the AO.

Tennis Australia, in partnership with Tennis Victoria, is deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in tennis. We seek to ensure that our sport and events are welcoming, safe, and inclusive for everyone, regardless of their background or ability. Inclusion for us, means creating opportunities for everyone to engage with tennis in ways that feel positive, meaningful, and empowering.

Evonne Goolagong Cawley Day: Zane Ryan

On Wednesday 15 January, the AO celebrated First Nations Day, also known as Evonne Goolagong Cawley Day, a tribute to one of Australia’s greatest tennis legends. As part of the festivities, we were lucky enough to get the opportunity to speak with Zane Ryan (Ngarrindjeri), a First Nations Ball Kid, about his journey and experience so far.

Zane became involved in the Ball Kid program after participating in the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival (NITC) in Darwin last year, where he showcased his talent and was selected for this amazing opportunity.

When reflecting on his time as a Ball Kid, Zane shared, “I find the best part is just the experience overall, being a part of the matches and going out there being with the players and being involved.” His enthusiasm for the whole experience captures what makes being a Ball Kid so special: the unique opportunity to be so close to world-class athletes and gain a behind-the-scenes perspective on how a Grand Slam works. Zane also added, “I’m a tennis player [myself] and [I’ve] always dreamt of being a professional, so being out there is a great opportunity to see what it feels like to be a professional.”

Zane’s passion for tennis and his dream of one day competing as a professional player highlights the value in creating world class opportunities like these. His story speaks to the impact of creating pathways for all young players to engage with the sport at every level.

Check out the image below to see Zane in action as a Ball Kid at the AO!

Zane Ryan

All Abilities Day: Adelaide Grigor and Remi Foster

During the second week of the AO, on Tuesday 21 January, we celebrated All Abilities Day—a day dedicated to showcasing the importance of inclusion in tennis. We spoke with Adelaide Grigor (Bunurong) about her experience as a Ball Kid at the Australian Open.

Adelaide is not only a proud First Nations person but also identifies as a person with Intellectual Impairment and Autism Development (PWII). She is an active member of the Tennis Victoria PWII Development Squad, which supports athletes of all abilities to thrive in our great sport.

This year, Tennis Victoria introduced an All-Abilities Ball Kid try-out session to encourage children of all abilities to apply for the AO25 program. This initiative aims to break down barriers and provide more young people with the chance to experience the joy of being a Ball Kid.

When asked about her favourite part of the experience so far, Adelaide said, “I think the best part about it is just learning new things and getting to be a part of something different and just making new friends. It’s a really good experience.” Her words reflect what we hope other kids can gain from such a program—a sense of community and personal growth.

Adelaide Grigor (left)

As part of All Abilities Day, we were also fortunate to see Adelaide in action alongside fellow Victorian Remi Foster, another Victorian Ball Kid who identifies as part of the All-Abilities program. Adelaide and Remi had the exciting opportunity to support the All-Abilities match at Kia Arena, where their skills, focus, and teamwork were on full display.

This memorable match was a standout of the day. Seeing Adelaide and Remi on court, enjoying themselves and playing a vital role in the successful running of our home slam, highlights the importance of inclusion initiatives. They open doors for kids of all abilities to be part of the AO experience and showcase their skills and contributions on the world stage. Refer to the photos below to see Adelaide and Remi in action during the All-Abilities match!

Click here to see our conversation with Adelaide and Zane. Interested in learning more about inclusion and diversity at Tennis Victoria? Click here. 

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Adelaide Grigor (first) Remi Foster (third)

 

Remi Foster (left)