Two West Australians in Paul Kilderry and Dorothy ‘Dos’ Whitely was inducted into the Tennis West Hall of Champions on Friday at the 2025 Tennis West Awards Night at Optus Stadium.
The Tennis West Awards Night is Tennis West’s prestigious event that celebrated and recognised the outstanding achievements of our state’s junior and senior players, clubs, coaches, schools, volunteers, officials and administrators of our sport.
The Hall of Champions induction was presented by Chair of the Tennis West Hall of Champions Committee, Pam Brand.
Dorothy Whitely or better known as ‘Dos’ to family and friends, was a highly talented player from Alexander Park Tennis Club. Dos was Western Australia’s number one ranked junior and senior player during the 1950s and 1960s winning multiple state titles in both singles and doubles.
Dos was the inaugural winner of the Champion of Champions event in 1964 and won the event again in 1968. Dos also represented WA in the Junior Wilson Cup team and as a senior in the Australian Championships between the years of 1958 and 1968.
Dos made the singles main draw of the Australian Open on six occasions with a career best result of making it to the round of 16. In the doubles, her best result came in 1962 and 1964 when she made the quarter finals.
Dos Whitely was represented by daughters Kristy Stedman and Misha Lee-Cooper.
Paul Kilderry was also inducted into the Hall of Champions. Paul’s tennis career started well with a high of number five in the world in the junior ITF Junior singles rankings.
Paul made the singles main draw of the Australian Open in 1994, 1995 and 1996, Wimbledon in 1993 and 2000 and the US Open in 1994. His highest World Singles ranking was 138 achieved in 1995. Paul played doubles in all the Grand Slams as well as winning three ATP Tour doubles titles over his professional career from 1992 – 2001.
In 2012, Paul was deputy tournament director before he was appointed tournament director in 2013, a position he held until 2019. In 2023, Tennis Australia appointed Paul as the Director of Professional Development where he remains today.
The night, returned to Optus Stadium and attracted over 350 guests, who were treated to drinks on the Champions Terrace before heading into the Riverview Room for a sit down three course meal and awards presentation.
Anthea McGrath was also inducted as a life member where fellow life member Ray Collins presented Anthea with a life membership pin.
Matthew Ebden took out the top honours, winning the Pro Player of The Year Award for the second consecutive year.
Ebden had another incredible season off the back of his 2024 Australian Open Men’s Doubles win. Ebden made the semi finals of the 2024 French Open Men’s Doubles, won the Miami Open Men’s Doubles title and made the Quarter finals of the Paris Masters. Ebden also represented Australia in the Davis Cup and United Cup.
The highlight of the year was the 2024 Paris Olympics where Matt Ebden teamed up with doubles partner John Peers and won the Men’s Doubles Gold Medal in three sets. The win was Australia’s first tennis gold medal since 1996.
Tennis Australia recognised the Matt’s on-court achievements by awarding Matt the 2024 Newcombe Medal alongside Alex De Minaur, his first Newcombe Medal.
All photos from the Tennis West Awards Night can be found here. (Credit Ingofoto if using on social media)
Full List of 2024/25 Award Winners:
Perth Audio Visual Coaching Excellence – Development
Philipp Lamprecht (Europe Tennis Academy)
Perth Audio Visual Coaching Excellence – Performance
Brad Dyer (Next Step Tennis Academy)
Arthur Marshall Coaching Excellence
Megan Henry (Dumbleyung Tennis Club)
KC Australia Volunteer Achievement Award
Samantha Vallet (Ocean Ridge Tennis Club)
Sportrophy Outstanding Club – Large
Hensman Park Tennis Club
Sportrophy Outstanding Club – Small
Ocean Ridge Tennis Club
Excellence in Officiating
Rosario Corvaia
Dawn Hay Medal
Jill Sheridan
Healthway Outstanding Competitive Play Event
Busselton Tennis Club March Open Tournament
Kinetic Outstanding School
Applecross Senior High School
Outstanding Inclusion Initiative
Femme Friday (Loton Park Tennis Club)
30+ Tennis Senior
Paul Moss
Current Electrical – Service to Tennis
Michelle Gethin (Merredin Tennis Club)
Karen Bucens Award
Karin Hiramatsu
Kent Yamazaki Award
Sehun Park
KC Australia Junior Tennis Star – Male
Jake Dembo
KC Australia Junior Tennis Star – Female
Alice Stevens
State League Male MVP
Will Hann
State League Female MVP
Alice Stevens
Hall of Champion Inductee
Dorothy ‘Dos’ Whitely
Paul Kilderry
Pro Player of the Year
Matthew Ebden
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