With the 2020 Katherine Open cancelled due to Covid restrictions, it was fantastic to see the Katherine Open back with a vengeance in 2021.

The 2021 edition saw around 70 players from Darwin participate, joined by a stronger-than-usual local contingent of 18 or so Katherinites. Events covered all ages and abilities: from Red, Orange and Green Ball junior comps, to the 12s, 14s and 16s events as part of the national Junior Tour, social singles and doubles and then the Open Mens and Womens singles and doubles events which are Bronze-level Australian Money Tournament (AMT) events. 

The AMT events are the most prestigious part of the Katherine Open, with a $2000 prizemoney pool and national ranking points on offer. We were guaranteed new champions this year as the 2019 winners Brenton Bacon and Rosie Henderson were not playing. Darwin's Peter Politis - ranked in the top 200 in Australia - became the men's champion, defeating Palmerston's Ethan Prosser in the final. Peter then teamed up with father Nick to claim the doubles title as well. Ava Willoughby won her first Katherine Open singles title but missed out in the doubles, which was a hard fought event. Emily Webb and Jessica Polack claimed that title, edging out two of the NT's best ever women's players who thesedays play for fun, Kassandra Bagetto and Emma Labessa.  

The Junior Tour events (12s, 14s and 16s) had a spread of winners too. Palmerston's Corey Pollock took out the 16s Boys singles while Alexanders Bracken and Christina Prete won the 12s singles events.  The 14s Boys doubles title was won by Christina's brothers Jericho and Rafael while Ruva Nesvinga and Amber Sharp won the 14s Girls doubles.  Ruva's little brother Tim looks set to be a future winner after winning the Green Ball singles and, with Will Pengelly, also took out the Green Ball doubles.

For the local players, the Katherine Open is always a fantastic opportunity for Katherine players to test themselves against visiting players. And Katherine players didn't do too bad this year! Goldie Ganley won the Red Ball singles with Cash Brenner as runner-up. Jeremyah Larcombe won the Orange Ball singles with Sienna Lee runner-up. David Jazyschyn won a match in his Green Ball singles as well as his doubles (teamed with Sienna Lee).

Michael Jazyschyn put in a strong effort in the 16s Boys singles making the semi-finals and finishing 3rd after winning the playoff match. Among the adult players, a number of locals helped create fun and competitive social singles and doubles competitions with Tim Dowling doing particularly well and finishing runner-up in the social singles. In the Mens Open singles, Donald Boddington and Ryle Cenabre both scored wins. In the Mens Open doubles, Lewis Lampton and Michael Jazyschyn won two matches and finished 2nd in their group and Greg Dickson and Ryle Cenabre finished 2nd in their group too. 

Just as important as the results, the 2021 Katherine Open offered a warm, social atmosphere across the whole weekend, appreciated by visitors and locals alike. The tournaments ran smoothly, thanks to great support from Tennis NT - especially Erin Bormann in the lead-up and Sam Giess over the tournament weekend. Thanks also to Simon Lavers for assistance, especially with sponsorship. And to our sponsors, we owe a huge thanks to our major sponsor Katherine Club Inc., as well as our Rally Partner sponsors Jo Hersey MLA and Katherine Physio. Thanks also to Blast Coffee/Pop Rocket Cafe for prizes. 

For more photos from the 2021 Katherine Open, check out our photo gallery on  Facebook. For full Tournament results head to the Tournament Site.

Thanks again to all sponsors, players, volunteers and supporters. We look forward to seeing you again for the 2022 Katherine Open!