Winners on and off court announced at National Indigenous Tennis Carnival

Jarred Cross
Jarred Cross Published August 10, 2026 at 6.30pm (AWST)

Champions have been crowned at the seventh National Indigenous Tennis Carnival on Larrakia Country, with victories on court and positivity off it sharing in the awards.

In addition to boys and girls age champions, Deadly Awards and more honours were handed to participants from each state and territory for their sportsmanship and leadership during the week.

Over four days at Darwin International Tennis Centre, more than 160 kids coming from all over the country took part in what's been described as the pinnacle of the First Nations pathway.

Going further, it's a time to come together, connect, celebrate culture and encourage you tennis stars to give it their best, three-time Grand Slam singles winner Ash Barty said.

Barty handed over the Cup named in her honour to NSW on the weekend.

The Ash Barty Cup goes to the state who earns the most points on court across the carnival.

"What I love most about it is that it's working together with your team, with your state, having your mate's back, and going out there and really supporting one another," Barty said.

Victoria's Lola Grigor and Lewis Murray took home the girls and boys 18-and-under singles championships, with Queensland's Tallara Noon and Preston Shawcross finishing on top in the 14-and-under competitions.

14-and-under girls runner up Hazel Wright said her NSW side came in focused, and she's proud of both her individual performance but also in her state's success winning the Ash Barty Cup.

NSW were also winners in the Future Stars 12-14 age bracket.

Away from the competitive stream, less-formal Hot Shots is hosted for those coming along and just getting started in their tennis journeys.

Palmerston 1 from the Northern Territory took out the award for Hot Shots Tennis.

Jackson Phillips from WA was awarded the Evonne Goolagong Cawley Medal of Excellence for clear leadership, compassion, positive attitude and good sportsmanship.

The Roger Cawley Supervisors Award went to Victoria's Adam Watson.

Barty said up there with her favourite things is seeing the ball-kids trials, some of whom could be there for the Australian Open in January.

Every year the year's first Grand Slam hosts Evonne Goolagong Cawley Day, formerly First Nations Day, where Indigenous ball kids head out onto the courts for matches during the day.

National Indigenous Tennis Carnival 2026:

18 and Under

Girls champion Lola Grigor, runner-up Laylah Shawcross

Boys champion Lewis Murray, runner-up Louis De Beger

14 and Under

Girls champion Tallara Noon, runner-up Hazel Wright

Boys champion Preston Shawcross, runner-up Oakley Baylis

Ash Barty Cup: NSW

Hot Shots Tennis champions: Palmerston 1 (NT)

Future Stars champions: NSW

Evonne Goolagong Cawley Medal of Excellence: Jackson Phillips

Deadly Award winners

ACT: Carlos Moorie

NT: Tony Kerinaiua

NSW: Imogen Baylis

Queensland: Mya Freeman

SA: Jamain Agius

Tasmania: Lola Schleebs

Victoria: William Walker

WA: Jackson Phillips

Roger Cawley Supervisors Award: Adam Watson

Officials: Jenny Roe and Dory Sherry

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National Indigenous Times

Disclaimer: This function is AI-generated and therefore may mispronounce.