Australian Open welcomes back Special Olympics Australia athletes and honours Evonne Goolagong Cawley

Special Olympics Australia athletes invited back to Australian Open

Special Olympics Australia athletes have been invited back to the Australian Open Courts this week following last year's success of the inaugural competition for Players with an Intellectual Impairment (PWII).

Started as an initiative to open the game of tennis to more members of the community, PWII will run again this year from 26th-28th January at the Australian Open.

Five athletes from Special Olympics have been invited by Tennis Australia to compete in the PWII on some of the precinct's biggest courts, alongside another 11 top players with intellectual disability from around the world.

The athletes invited to participate in the event include:

Kelly Wren, a multiple gold medallist in tennis, who has won Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability at the Newcombe Medal Awards for Tennis Australia.

Carla Lenarduzzia, silver medallist in women's singles (division 1) in Special Olympics Australia National Games in Adelaide in 2018.

Mitchell James, who won two gold medals in Abu Dhabi in 2019 in the Men's Singles and Mixed Doubles.

Lily Mills, who won gold and bronze medals in tennis for her home country of Great Britain at Special World Games in Berlin.

Sophia Schmidt, who won a silver medal in tennis for her home country, Germany, in singles at Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.

Speaking of her excitement for the event, Sydney local and Special Olympics Australia volunteer-coach, Kelly Wren shared "I started playing tennis at eight years old and haven't looked back since. Through tennis, I've been able to travel the world doing what I love and I now coach the next generation of stars. Being invited to play at the PWII as part of the Australian Open, alongside so many other world-class players, will be a sporting highlight this year."

Victorian-based Carla Lenarduzzia, another internationally-awarded tennis star and Special Olympics Australia athlete added "I'm looking forward to playing at this year's Australian Open. I love representing my country."

All Abilities Day, which took place on 23rd January, aims to recognise inclusive formats of tennis, and invites people of all abilities to enjoy all that the AO has to offer in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Pierre Comis, Chief Executive at Special Olympics Australia adds "The Australian Open is an iconic sporting event loved by tennis fans from across Australia and the world, so it's great to see Tennis Australia putting inclusivity at the forefront of their event schedule.

"These events are a great opportunity to showcase the talents of a diverse range of athletes. I hope that anyone watching with an intellectual disability or autism, who may be interested in trying sport but unsure where to start, will be encouraged to pick up a racket."

The Australia Open also recognised Evonne Goolagong Cawley on the 50th anniversary of her first Australian Open triumph.

Fifty years after lifting the iconic Australian Open trophy for the first time, Evonne Goolagong Cawley is being honoured for the incredible contribution she’s made to her sport, her nation and her heritage.

In a special ceremony at Rod Laver Arena prior to the women’s semifinals, it was announced that from 2025 the Australian Open’s annual celebration of First Nations culture during week one will be known as Evonne Goolagong Cawley Day.

Image top: Kelly Wren. Credit: Tennis NSW; Image above: Evonne Goolagong Cawley on her 50th anniversary. Credit:Tennis Australia