Goolagong Cawley praise for Indigenous tennis carnival
Tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley has hailed the 2025 National Indigenous Tennis Carnival in Darwin as one of the best she has attended.
About 160 First Nations players from across Australia took centre court in a week of culture, connection and competition, with Ms Goolagong Cawley saying the combination of tennis and culture made the competitors stronger.
“This event is one of the most unique programs that I’ve ever been in. It’s not just about tennis – it’s about education, meeting up with friends and making new friends,” Ms Goolagong Cawley said.
“I remember last time I was here a lot of the kids were very shy, very scared … just the same as I was when I first started playing.
“But by the end of it, everybody’s joining in like sisters and brothers and learning a lot about culture.
“The combination of tennis with culture can only make them stronger. I know that tennis made me more positive, more confident in myself, but then when I learned about culture too … it made me even stronger. The combination is just unreal.”
Ms Goolagong Cawley awarded 17-year-old Isaac Elson from New South Wales the Evonne Goolagong Cawley Medal of Excellence, (main picture), praising his well-deserved recognition for leadership, sportsmanship, and positive attitude displayed on and off the court.
“Winning that award is something special – I don’t have words to say,” Elson told tennis.com.au
“It’s just an awesome feeling. I’ve worked very hard, and I’m really appreciative of Evonne and Roger (Cawley) and everyone who has helped me along this path and has guided me to the positive side of everything.”
The 18/u boys’ championship final saw Quincy Kahn (NSW) defeat Isaac Elson (NSW) 1-6 6-4 [10-4], and Lola Grigor (Vic) defeat Laylah Shawcross (Qld) 6-1 6-1 in the girls’ final. In the 14/u girls’ competition, Hazel Wright (NSW) prevailed over Namallarri Mckenzie (SA) 6-2 6-0, and Will Brooks-Gay (Vic) overcame Oakley Baylis (NSW) 6-1 6-2 in the boys’ final.
Queensland claimed the Ash Barty Cup – awarded to the best-performing team in the Hot Shots, Future Stars and Showdown events – while New South Wales and Victoria rounded out the podium.
Eight participants – one from each state and territory – were also announced as winners of the Deadly Awards, nominated by team supervisors for their sportsmanship, leadership and positive spirit. These recipients will enjoy a money-can’t-buy experience at a Summer of Tennis event in 2026.
National Indigenous Tennis Carnival 2025 results
18/u singles championships:
Girls: [2] Lola Grigor (Vic) d Laylah Shawcross (Qld) 6-1 6-1
Boys: [1] Quincy Khan (NSW) d [2] Isaac Elson (NSW) 1-6 6-4 [10-4]
14/u singles championships:
Girls: [1] Hazel Wright (NSW) d [2] Namallarri Mckenzie (SA) 6-2 6-0
Boys: [1] Will Brooks-Gay (Vic) d Oakley Baylis (NSW) 6-1 6-2
Deadly Award winners:
Jayde Mitchell (ACT)
Hazel Wright (NSW)
Luca Toby (Qld)
Jamain Agius (SA)
Tori Direen (Tas)
Brock Mitchell (Vic)
Jackson Phillips (WA)
Jacob Groves (NT)
Roger Cawley Supervisors Award – recognises team managers who supervise, support and coach the kids:
Sara Mohammed (WA)
Djamika Ganambarr (NT)
Evonne Goolagong Cawley Medal of Excellence: Isaac Elson (NSW)
Ash Barty Cup: Queensland
Hot Shots Tennis champions: East Arnhem (NT)
Futures Stars champions: New South Wales
