Top talent competes in international tennis tournament

RISING tennis stars have joined some of the best female players in Australia to compete in the $30,000 Tweed Heads International W15.

The event is part of the Australian Pro Tour — a series of professional tennis events held throughout the year to bridge upcoming players with the WTA Tour.

The tournament also provides players with the opportunity to earn significant world ranking points and compete in regional events closer to home.

Matches are being played at the Arkinstall Park Regional Tennis Centre in Tweed Heads South.

The tournament has an international flavour, with competitors from Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Taiwan.

Some of the younger competitors have joined the tour after competing in junior grand slam events around the world.

“Tweed Heads is one of just two new stops on the national circuit this year, bringing international tennis to the local community,” event spokesperson Camille Russo said.

“The event is free for spectators who wish to come along and enjoy world-class tennis.”

Tweed tennis player Gabriella Da Silva Flick has competed in the Australian Open qualifying rounds in the past and is the top seed at the event.

She is competing for a second ITF title, having previously won the Swan Hill International W35 event in 2024.

Other top seeds include Alana Subasic, Belle Thompson and Lily Taylor, as well as Alicia Smith and Laquisa Khan.

Khan, 22, was a promising junior at Lismore and has continued to build on her career in recent years.

Competition in the main draw started on Monday August 4, with the event split over two weeks.

It is scheduled to finish on Sunday August 17.