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Media character, creator and former Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil shares her favorite tennis recollections in our Movie star Match collection.
Melbourne, Australia, 12 July 2023 | Leigh Rogers
Maria Thattil was topped Miss Universe Australia in 2020.
She is now an envoy, activist, presenter and a well-liked media character, who has appeared on The Mission and I’m A Movie star … Get Me Out of Right here!
Earlier this yr, Thattil launched her first e book, Unbounded: Manifesting a life with out limits. The e book explores the complexities of race, sexuality, gender, and id.
In our Movie star Match collection, Thattil shares her early tennis recollections and divulges her most memorable Australian Open experiences …
Inform us about your tennis expertise. Have you ever performed earlier than?
I’ve hit a few balls over the web in my major college days and look – my profession was wanting promising till at some point once I copped a tennis ball to the face and abruptly stop! I did love the sport although. I’ve been desirous about selecting up a racquet once more for enjoyable!
Do you bear in mind what your greatest shot was if you performed?
I haven’t performed something notable, though I did discover myself concerned because the umpire on the Australian Open’s Glam Slam this yr. My greatest ‘shot’ was throwing to the spectators to gauge what they thought was taking place within the sport as a result of honestly, I’m a novice!
Maria Thattil within the umpire chair throughout the Glam Slam movie star match at Australian Open 2023.
What’s your earliest tennis reminiscence?
Being about 10 or 11 years outdated on a Saturday morning, waking up early, donning a tennis skirt and cap and going to the native courts for classes with my brother. I nonetheless bear in mind the nice and cozy rust color of the floor and the way heat my coach was. As a child who was extra academically inclined and most well-liked a classroom, tennis was the one sport I genuinely loved.
Do you’ve gotten a favorite tennis reminiscence?
My favorite tennis reminiscence was in 2021, I used to be the Piper-Heidsieck ambassador for the Australian Open that yr and was given the chance to observe an unbelievable match from seats proper on the courtroom. I bear in mind watching Novak Djokovic play towards Jeremy Chardy and it was completely electrical! We have been handled to an unbelievable expertise in The Dressing Room too, the place we met different tennis followers and bonded over our love of the sport.
Do you bear in mind the primary skilled match you noticed dwell? Who performed?
My first dwell match was in 2016, however I’d must say the primary skilled match I watched dwell that actually stands out for me was the Djokovic and Chardy sport in 2021, purely due to the unbelievable views from seats on the courtroom. I imply, who will get to do this!?
Maria Thattil within the Piper-Heidsieck on-court seats at Rod Laver Area.
Who’s your favorite tennis participant to observe and why?
It must be Nick Kyrgios, he’s fairly entertaining to observe! Ash Barty is my different favorite and despite the fact that she has retired, does she even want an evidence for why she is fulfilling to observe? Dwelling legend.
In the event you may meet any tennis participant, who wouldn’t it be and why?
I’ve already met them – Jelena Dokic. Jelena is a celebrity of the sport and I had the privilege of befriending her within the hair and make-up room at Channel 9 one high quality afternoon late final yr, earlier than we each went on to do segments with The At present Present. Her legend precedes her and I’ve at all times been in awe of her, not simply due to her achievements on the courtroom, however due to her tenacity, resilience and coronary heart. I used to be so grateful to really join together with her correctly and get to know her spirit – and now I name her a pal.
What was your private spotlight in being concerned in AO Pleasure Day at this yr’s Australian Open?
Aside from being there because the comedian reduction (as a result of let’s be sincere, I don’t have a future in umpiring), a private spotlight from being concerned in AO Pleasure Day at this yr’s Australian Open was sharing the expertise with so many different champions for inclusivity, range and our LGBTQIA+ group. As somebody who has been publicly out since 2022, I felt honoured to be within the presence of individuals I not solely look as much as, however share values with.
Why is it vital to see main occasions such because the Australian Open selling satisfaction?
You will need to see main occasions just like the Australian Open selling satisfaction as a result of sports activities are for everybody – so it must actively be promoted as inclusive to and accessible for everybody. We live by means of a time the place there’s unrest and even throughout the LGBTQIA+ group, some teams proceed to face discrimination disproportionately. Main occasions just like the Australian Open have the chance to leverage massive platforms, considerable assets and far-reaching communication channels to actually drive cultural change, to maneuver the dial on equality and create secure areas for everybody.
Lastly, are you able to please end these sentences:
The most effective a part of the Australian Open is … camaraderie, wholesome competitors and watching world-class athletes battle it out on Aussie courts.
Tennis is enjoyable as a result of … it’s for everybody, and anybody can have a go. Even me!
> Try extra interviews from our Movie star Match collection
E-book on-line, play immediately: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on courtroom and have some enjoyable!
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