WHEN former world number one Caroline Wozniacki walks out onto Melbourne Park on Tuesday afternoon, she will be playing for Kendall.
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The town south of Port Macquarie drew the Danish star for the 2017 Australian Open.
Club president Wendy Hudson said the club’s ballkids also had the privilege of meeting Wozniacki at the Apia International in Sydney last week.
“The kids responded really well to her and she spent a bit of time with them which they really enjoyed,” Hudson said.
“It was all set up by Tennis NSW which is a great idea and I explained to her that we were all from the one club.
“We got some photos with her and some of the kids have ball-boyed her over the years so it was good for them to get to meet her.”
Hudson said Wozniacki was “quite honoured” to be representing the Kendall Tennis Club in Melbourne.
“No other towns get behind their players like we do.”
- Kendall Tennis Club president Wendy Hudson
“No other towns get behind their players like we do.”
The club president said she would have mixed emotions when Wozniacki starts her Australian Open campaign against Australia’s Arina Rodionova.
“It’s a bit of a tough one that she plays an Aussie.”
The 26-year-old has a bit to live up to after the success the town has had through the performances of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
“Last year we got the runner up with Andy,” Hudson said.
“She should make it to the fourth round, but you never know what’s going to happen in a grand slam.”
As well as representing the township, Wozniacki also received a small information package from Hudson.
If she does happen to win the Australian Open, the prize is $5000 to our club.
- Wendy Hudson
“We gave her a club towel and a 2017 calendar full of years of photos of our club and kids,” she said.
“In the pack was information about the town and area as well and she signed a club shirt for us.”
Young club juniors Paige and Abbie Hudson were lucky enough to have a photo taken with the Danish star after one of her matches.
She also signed the club AOBlitz signs for them.
“If she does happen to win the Australian Open, the prize is $5000 to our club,” Hudson said.
Wozniacki bowed out of the Sydney International after an epic three hour and 20 minute three-set quarter final match with Czech Barbora Strycova.
“It was 50-plus degrees on centre court that day,” Hudson said.