2026 NSW Country Closed Championships recap

The 2026 NSW Country Closed Open and Junior Championships produced some incredible tennis and crowned new champions across a variety of singles, doubles and mixed doubles events. 

The Open events featured an increased total prize pool of over $17,000. 

“The 2026 NSW Country Championships have once again showcased everything that makes country tennis so special – exceptional competition, outstanding sportsmanship and an incredible sense of community,” stated Bevan.

“Over eight days, Wagga Wagga welcomed players, families and officials from across New South Wales, and the standard of tennis on display was outstanding. This year also marked a significant milestone for the Championships, with a record $18,000 prize pool on offer.”

The Open singles champions, Gloria Jovic and Ashton Mcleod picked up not only an astounding $2,500, but also received automatic main draw wildcards into the coveted 25K Progress Series at Sydney Olympic Park this October. This opportunity will help further fuel the progress of these regional players whilst allowing for the chance to compete and perform on a world-class stage.  

"I was surprised to get the win, but I am very grateful for the quality of tennis I produced and the way I played throughout the tournament," said Jovic. 

"I feel very excited to get the chance to play in the 25k Progress Series later in the year, and I am very grateful to have earned this opportunity." 

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The state-of-the-art Jim Elphick Tennis Centre in Wagga Wagga hosted the first edition of the Championships and is slated to host the 2027 edition as well. 

The Open Championships were held from July 3-6, followed by the Junior Championships from July 6-10.  

This comes after the incredible redevelopment of the centre that now features eight International Tennis Federation (ITF) standard hard courts, along with a stunning clubhouse and additional courts. 

Players also received free access to the Wagga Leisure Oasis Aquatic Centre and the 24/7 Workout Gym for the duration of the tournament, along with a 50 per cent discount for family members. 

“On behalf of Tennis NSW, I would like to sincerely thank Wagga Wagga City Council, Wagga Leisure, the Wagga Wagga Tennis Association, South Wagga Tennis Club, our volunteers, officials, sponsors and the many local businesses whose support and hospitality made this year’s Championships such a success,” expressed Bevan. 

The facility and tournament staff and hosts paved the way for a brilliant atmosphere, pushing country players to showcase some of the very best tennis regional NSW has to offer. 

“The Country Championships are about much more than prize money,” said Bevan.

“They bring together generations of players from communities across New South Wales, fostering lifelong friendships, healthy competition and a shared passion for our sport. It remains one of the premier events on the Tennis NSW calendar and one that continues to grow in strength each year.”

The facility and tournament staff and hosts paved the way for a brilliant atmosphere, pushing country players to showcase some of the very best tennis regional NSW has to offer. 

The 25k Progress Series wildcard will also further help pave the way for country players to earn bigger and better opportunities to compete on a global stage.

“Tennis NSW is proud to continue investing in country tennis and providing meaningful opportunities for regional players to compete at the highest level,” exclaimed Bevan.

It is precisely tournaments such as these that allow for regional talent to excel and develop, with the opportunity to compete in a professional world-class tennis centre and have access to top-tier on and off-court facilities. 

“Congratulations to every player who took to the court throughout the week,” stated Bevan.

“Whether they left with a trophy or simply the satisfaction of competing, each participant played a part in another memorable chapter in the proud history of the NSW Country Championships. We look forward to building on this success again next year.” 

Highlights from the Opens event include:

Open Women’s Singles

Winner: Gloria Jovic

Runner-up: Emily Johnson  

Open Men’s Singles

Winner: Ashton Mcleod

Runner-up: Noah Pociask

Open Women’s Doubles

Winners: Caitlin Abela/Taya Sanchez

Runners-up: Gloria Jovic/Teodora Jovic 

Open Men’s Doubles

Winners: Ashton Mcleod/Brydan Mcleod

Runners-up: Ewan Duff/Thomas Hatcher-Nee

Open Mixed Doubles 

Winners: Brydan Mcleod/Coco Purcell

Runners-up: Zac Creenaune/Sienna Anderson

18/u Girls Singles

Winner: Coco Purcell 

Runner-up: Phoebe Godward-Smith

18/u Boys Singles

Winner: Ewan Duff 

Runner-up: Aiden Gwenossis 

Highlights from the Juniors event include:

10/u Girls Singles

Winner: Madilyn Mcconville  

Runner-up: Charli Scott

10/u Girls Doubles

Winners: Madilyn Mcconville/Charli Scott  

Runners-up: Tasman Kahler/Clara Skinner

10/u Boys Singles

Winner: Dustin Mcleod 

Runner-up: Artemy Tenyaev

10/u Boys Doubles

Winners: Gabriel Delhaise-Cawood/Artemy Tenyaev  

Runners-up:  Dustin Mcleod/Kimi Yiheng Zhu

10/u Mixed Doubles

Winners: Gabriel Delhaise-Cawood/Tasman Kahler 

Runners-up: Artemy Tenyaev/Matilda Hole

12/u Girls Singles

Winner: Gabrijela Karanfilovski 

Runner-up: Tatiana Krstevski

12/u Girls Doubles

Winners: Gabrijela Karanfilovski/Tatiana Krstevski  

Runners-up: Charlotte Murphy/Sofia Pena-Fairweather

12/u Boys Singles

Winner: Lachlan Finnerty 

Runner-up: William Ferris

12/u Boys Doubles

Winners: Gus Chalmers/William Ferris 

Runners-up: Rupert Tehan/Harry Tudgey

12/u Mixed Doubles

Winners: Sonny Thorneycroft/Tatiana Krstevski  

Runners-up: William Ferris/Gabrijela Karanfilovski

14/u Girls Singles

Winner: Cataleya Edwin 

Runner-up: Genevieve Threlfo

14/u Girls Doubles

Winners: Bonnie Grover/Genevieve Threlfo 

Runners-up: Cataleya Edwin/Gabriella Hosking

14/u Boys Singles

Winner: Nirvair Singh 

Runner-up: Samson Hole

14/u Boys Doubles

Winners: Dexter Bartrom/Finn Kahler 

Runners-up: Jackson Cheney/Ethan Holder

14/u Mixed Doubles

Winners: Michael Ho/Cataleya Edwin 

Runners-up: Jackson Cheney/Mackenzie Mutch

16/u Girls Singles

Winner: Trista Dorrian 

Runner-up: Kira Slomka

16/u Girls Doubles

Winners: Phoebe Godward-Smith/Lara Meagher 

Runners-up: Trista Dorrian/Kira Slomka

16/u Boys Singles

Winner: Brydan Mcleod 

Runner-up: Samuel Savovski

16/u Boys Doubles

Winners: Jake Mccraw/Thomas Miranda 

Runners-up: Alexander Fraser/Oscar King

16-18 Mixed Doubles

Winners: Brydan Mcleod/Coco Purcell 

Runners-up: Veljko Maksimovic/Kira Slomka

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