Australian Open 2024 PWII Championships invites entries from II1 athletes

/in /by

In a momentous stride towards celebrating diversity and providing equal opportunities, the Australian Open 2023 orchestrated its groundbreaking All Abilities Day on January 24th earlier this year, heralding an era of inclusivity.

After the resounding success of its debut, Tennis Australia proudly presents the Australian Open 2024 PWII Championships, heralding a significant comeback to Melbourne Park for the world’s elite competitors.

Tennis Australia warmly invites athletes of the II1 competition class to join the ranks of the Australian Open 2024, reaffirming their unwavering dedication to fostering an inclusive and diverse sporting landscape.

The All Abilities Day stands as a testament to our commitment to recognizing the myriad inclusive facets of tennis. It beckons individuals with varying abilities, encompassing vision, hearing, mobility, sensory, and intellectual disabilities, to revel in the grandeur of the Australian Open within a secure and all-encompassing environment.

In the first edition, over 40 players with intellectual impairment from across 14 countries competed at the event, with Virtus elites Anna Mcbride, Hanne Laveryson, Kelly Wren, Fabrice Higgins, Mitchel James and Archie Graham making an appearance. Virtus hopes to see some new names and more entries in this edition.

“The Australian Open Championships for players with an Intellectual Impairment  provides a fantastic opportunity for our Virtus players to get high quality competition alongside the World’s top players who are competing in the Australian Open Grand Slam event”, says Lelsey Whitehead, Virtus Tennis director.

Sharing the same hallowed courts with tennis luminaries like Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, and many more is a profound morale-boost for athletes with intellectual impairments.

Scheduled from January 26th to 28th, 2024, these championships promise an unparalleled experience. With limited slots available, we urge all aspiring athletes to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and complete the online entry form by October 22, 2023.

Contact Tennis Australia at ‘AOPWII@tennis.com.au‘ for further details about tournament of visa related queries.

Key notes from Tennis Australia:

  • Completing the online entry form DOES NOT guarantee a spot into the event
  • Draw Sizes: 8 Men & 8 Women (top 6 based on VIRTUS singles rankings + 2 wildcards)
  • Acceptance lists will be communicated via email to all who entered
  • Detailed Fact Sheet will be shared with accepted players soon after the deadline