The inaugural Brisbane International Kids Tennis Day gave hundreds of kids the chance to get up close and personal with three tennis superstars on Monday.
Australian Casey Dellacqua, Japan’s Kei Nishikori and Kim Clijsters of Belgium all took part in children-based activities throughout the day.
As well as free entry for kids aged 3-16, there were also photo and autograph opportunities, free showbags and the chance to get on one of the MLC Tennis Hot Shots courts and have a hit.
Dellacqua, 26, signed dozens of autographs for children shortly after midday in the recently developed Tennis Central facility.
Dellacqua said that initiatives like Kids Tennis Day are a great way to inspire future stars of the game.
“[Days like today] are good for the event and good for tennis as a sport,” she said.
“Obviously the future of the sport is all the kids so all the programs like Hot Shots are really important.
“It’s nice when we’re in Australia, being an Australian player being able to give back to the community and the people that support us.
“It’s only 15 minutes of my day and it means the world to them so that’s all that matters.”
Having already advanced to the next round in the female singles competition, Clijsters, a mother of one, joined an enthusiastic group of kids for a hit in the afternoon.
The former number one demonstrated why she’s a crowd favourite among both parents and children by urging other professionals to look at the bigger picture.
“I think in general just to get kids to play sports is a role that any athlete out there, whatever sport they play, have to promote,” Clijsters said.
“It’s part of a healthy lifestyle and I think tennis overall is a great sport.”
2008 ATP Newcomer of the Year Nishikori, who’s currently ranked 25th in the world, was more than happy to donate his time to the children.
The 22-year-old said mingling with youngsters was one of the “important things” for professional tennis players to continually do.
“It’s always fun to play with kids,” he said.
“They’re the future of tennis.”