By Tyler Wright
Selby local and Tennis Hot Shots player Caitlin Crilly stepped out onto Margaret Court Arena (MCA) on Saturday 21 January to toss the coin in the Australian Open match between Nuria Parrizas Diaz and Donna Vekic.
Ten year old Caitlin is no stranger to the game, having played Hot Shots at the Upwey-Tecoma Tennis Club for two years.
“It was pretty exciting. I was a bit nervous,” Caitlin said.
The coin toss opportunity came after Upwey-Tecoma Tennis Club coach Kylie Wilkeson shared the opportunity with Caitlin’s parents.
Around 60,000 visitors attended the Australian Open on Saturday when Caitlin and her family made the trip to Melbourne Park.
“She’s a pretty mature kid, so she takes things in her stride…no mucking around. She went out there, and she was very confident and had no troubles,” Caitlin’s dad Marc said.
The group also got free admission on Saturday into Rod Laver Arena and watched Swiss tennis player Belinda Bencic alongside getting to enjoy the match-up between Parrizas Diaz and Vekic on MCA.
“I thought I was going to play a match on the actual court, but I was surprised I didn’t,” Caitlin said.
Although she didn’t get a hit on the actual court, Caitlin did manage to score a high five from one of the players – and made sure she told her family and friends about the experience.
“I sent them all a lot of photos and called a lot of people…they were very excited,” she said.
More than 170 Tennis Hot Shots kids and Super 10 development athletes will take to the courts of Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, John Cain Arena and Kia Arena to toss the coin during the two weeks of the Australian Open.
“What a wonderful opportunity to connect our kids starting out their tennis journey with the very best tennis players in the world, while also and honouring the remarkable achievements of our past champions.” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said.
“Each Tennis Hot Shots player that steps on court to toss the coin during the Australian Open will be surrounded by current champions of the game and will take home a special reminder of one of the greatest champions our sport has ever seen.”
The Australian Open 2023 coin features tennis legend Ken Rosewall, honouring the 70-year anniversary of his 1953 men’s singles triumph.
Rosewall remains the youngest man to have won the Australian Open Men’s Singles title, winning at just 18. Claiming subsequent titles in 1955 and 1971, Rosewall also won in 1972 aged 36, marking 19 years since his inaugural title – another record that remains to this day.
Renowned for his enviable backhand as illustrated on the AO 2023 coin, Rosewall amassed an impressive 18 major titles across three decades including nine Men’s Doubles titles and a Mixed Doubles title at the US Open in 1956.
“It’s a wonderful honour to be recognised on the Australian Open coin. Seventy years seems like a long time, but it feels just like yesterday that I was a young hopeful stepping out on court for a shot at my first major title,” Australian tennis legend Ken Rosewall said.
Tennis Hot Shots is the official development program of Tennis Australia, designed for kids aged three to 12. Played on smaller courts with modified equipment to make it easier and more fun to progress.
Tennis Hots Shots is run by qualified coaches and volunteers who help kids build confidence, sport skills and new friends.
Coaches and clubs across Australia offer free trials.
