Champions crowned at New Year Open tennis tournament

NEW champions have emerged at the Ballina New Year Open tennis tournament, where about 180 players from across NSW and south-east Queensland competed.

Matches were played at the Ballina Tennis Club, with new champions crowned in the open men’s and women’s competitions.

Some of the best junior tennis players from across the country participated in the event, along with a handful of more experienced competitors.

The tournament has become a platform for emerging talent in recent years, with opportunities for coaches to play alongside their students in doubles matches.

“It’s been a really high standard of competition this year,” tournament director Eli Baylis said.

“The kids all travel around during summer and look to play in these sort of tournaments.”

Tweed Heads teenager Matlida Daniel took down top seed Jovana Petrovic 6-3 6-4 in the women’s final.

Daniel went through the competition without dropping a set and is now the youngest female to win the event.

The 15-year-old follows on from 2024 champion Marielou Baudouin who missed the event this year.

Baudouin, who was 16 at the time, grew up playing at Mullumbimby and is busy preparing a move to the United States where she has earned a college scholarship to play tennis.

“Matilda is already one of the best players for her age in the country,” Baylis said.

“She’s had a lot of success around Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.

“She gets around the court well and has a lot of power in her game.

Meanwhile, the men’s top seed Charlie Pade proved too strong for Byron Bay’s Louis Clark, winning 6-3 6-4 in the men’s final.

Baylis said Pade, a Coffs Harbour junior, already has ATP Tour points and a world ranking.

Clark has been one of the top-performing locals in the men’s competition in recent years, while Lismore product Brendon Moore was a late withdrawal this time.

Moore, who plays on the world masters circuit, has won the Ballina event more times than any other player.