The 14-year-old is a state champion after winning the 14/U Victorian Masters Singles crown after defeating Esther Meng 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 on her home court in Bendigo just before Christmas at the 2024 Tennis Victorian State Masters competition.
Prior to her singles final, Willow and her doubles partner Bianca Hristov had qualified for the 14/U Doubles final in which they defeated the top seeded duo of Isabel Cairns and Lily Khonsavang 6-4, 7-5.
In early January, Willow went on to compete at the 69th Inter-Regional Country Championships at the Mt Prospect Tennis Association in Creswick representing Loddon Campaspe which finished fourth overall in the competition that featured 220 players from seven regions.
Willow was proud to continue her successful summer of tennis taking out the Girls 16/U Singles and Doubles at the inter-regional event with partner Keira Simpson.
She then went on to compete in an Open event at Wodonga making it to the semi finals.
Willow began her tennis involvement playing for Harcourt in the Castlemaine District Tennis Association and for the last few years has played for Castlemaine alongside her dad in the Bendigo Tennis Association’s A Grade Pennant at the Bendigo Regional Tennis Centre.
Last Saturday January 25, Willow also had the opportunity of a lifetime when family friend Chris Plazzer nominated the young tennis talent to take part in the Mastercard Grand Slam Experience, where she got to join former Aussie tennis champs and two of her idols Ash Barty and Casey Dellacqua for an exclusive tennis clinic on the iconic Rod Laver Arena!
“I am so grateful to Chris for making this happen for me. I had the opportunity to meet Ash briefly a couple of years ago at the Australian Open when I got to toss a coin before her match.
“But this time around I was among 10 lucky people who had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to enjoy a hit of tennis with Ash and Casey, who was a surprise inclusion, on the grand slam court and spend about an hour chatting with them. It was a really amazing experience,”Willow said.
Willow was playing at a tournament at Rye last weekend and after winning the 16 & Under Singles had to quickly make the trek across to Melbourne for the Australian Open meet and greet, before returning to Rye for her Open Doubles clash with teammate and longtime friend Cleo Stuart.
“Unfortunately, we bowed out of our first round match following a tiebreaker. Then we rushed back to Rod Laver Arena to catch the Women’s Final between Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys from the US. It was an incredible match that went to three sets and had us all on the edge of our seats! American Keys eventually victorious 3-6, 6-2, 5-7!”Willow said.
“It was a huge day but one I will never forget!” Willow said.