18 October 2021 | Tennis West

^{Pictured: Jess Moore presenting Storm Sanders’ WA Pro Player of the Year Award to Storm’s father, Michael}

Boasting a career best singles and doubles world ranking, and fresh off her return from her Olympic debut in Tokyo, Storm Sanders was named WA Pro Player of the Year at the 2021 WA Tennis Industry Awards Night held at Optus Stadium on Friday 8 October.

Despite the interruptions to play imposed COVID-19, Storm has enjoyed a sensational 24 months competing on the professional circuit with consistent performances at ITF and WTA level events. With impressive results in both singles and doubles, Storm’s current rankings stand as career best respective rankings of world No. 124 and world No. 33.

Continuing to dominate the doubles scene, Storm claimed her second WTA Doubles title at the 2020 Hua Hin event in Thailand, in addition to titles in Playford, Burnie and at the W100 Charleston event.

Adding to her Grand Slam performances, Storm qualified for the Women’s Singles main draw at Roland Garros, was a wildcard women’s singles main draw entrant at the US Open. Advancing to the semi-finals of the Wimbledon Women’s Doubles draw, Storm enjoyed a doubles quarterfinals appearance at the US Open.

Tennis Australia National Development Squad Coach, Tom George, says Storm’s achievements are reward for her longstanding commitment, dedication and hard work both on and off the court.

‘Storm’s commitment and dedication to hard work are a credit to her pursuit of excellence and mastery of her craft and are the very reason she continues to shine so brightly on the international stage,’

‘The Tennis West Performance Team are incredibly proud of all of Storm’s achievements. She is an incredible person, stellar athlete and impeccable role model for our junior athletes,’ George said.

Running since 2002, the WA Tennis Industry Awards Night was cancelled in 2020 amid the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. Boasting as the biggest night in the history of the event, more than 20 award winners were recognised in front of some 280 guests at Optus Stadium’s River View Room.

Tennis West CEO Brett Patten says the WA Tennis Industry Awards Night is a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the sport’s hard-working clubs, volunteers, coaches and players, congratulating all nominees and award winners on their achievements throughout the year.

“With the 2020 event cancelled, the 2021 WA Tennis Industry Awards Night was a wonderful opportunity to bring the WA tennis community together in celebrating the wonderful achievements of the past 24 months,’

‘Tennis in WA continues to go from strength to strength, and this wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our clubs, coaches, officials, volunteers, partner schools, local governments and players who remain committed to creating thriving tennis communities right across the state,’

“The rewards of these combined efforts are then realised through increased grassroots participation, accessible and welcoming tennis clubs, top-performing juniors who rank amongst the country’s best and WA’s professional players who continue to do us proud on the WTA and ATP tours,’

“None of this is possible without the contribution of everyone involved, and our awards night ensures these wonderful individuals are celebrated and recognised accordingly,” Patten said.

For a full list of the award winners and finalists of the 2021 WA Tennis Industry Awards Night, please see here.

Included in the Award Night formalities, was the inauguration of Hall of Champion inductees Jenny Byrne, Christine Dorey, Robert Casey and Christopher Johnstone.

All winners of the WA Tennis Industry Awards Night will be nominated for their respective categories at the prestigious Newcombe Medal Australian Tennis Awards.

Proudly presented by major sponsor KC Australia, the WA Tennis Industry Awards Night was held on Friday 8 October at Optus Stadium. The prestigious event celebrates the sport of tennis in Western Australia and recognises the outstanding achievements and contributions of the sport’s players, officials, coaches, clubs, administrators, volunteers, partner schools and local governments.