Kerry Ballard - Player of the Year for 2009

Kerry Ballard was honoured at the Awards ceremony at the Australian Seniors Championships on the Gold Coast in January 2010 as the co-winner (with Ward Hillier) of the Player of the Year for 2009.  Kerry won the ITF World Treble at the Super-Seniors World Championships in Perth in 2009 (Teams, Singles & Doubles).

Kerry Ballard - co-winner of Player of the Year for 2009

Kerry Ballard was elated and thrilled to receive her award, and after acknowledging the State Presidents who voted for her, she thanked her husband Ian for being her “Coach, Manager and Personal Trainer” – in what had been quite an eventful year. It started with a win in Adelaide, in the 60WS, and soon after, she had urgent treatment to manage the life-threatening circulation problems caused by a blocked artery. She recovered remarkably, and in a few short months was able to perform so well in all the World Super Senior events in Perth.

A list of Kerry's achievements in Seniors Tennis include...

First represented Australia in 1993 - Young Cup in Bournemouth England.

Represented a total of 17 times - 9 as Captain.

In 1994, Kerry was selected in 2 Cups - the only woman to have been. She played in the inaugural Margaret Court Cup in Perth and was then supposed to play in the Young Cup in Uruguay but had to withdraw because of a major back injury, which kept her out of tennis for two years.

Kerry returned in 1996 (to Austria) and has represented every year since, except in 2000 when she did not nominate because of her son's HSC.

Has won 4 Cups:

• 2004 Philadelphia

• 2005 Perth

• 2006 South Africa

• 2009 Perth

• Also, 1 silver and 5 bronze.

World Doubles:

• 1997 Won 45+ with Wendy Gilchrist

• 2001 - 2009 Nine consecutive titles with Elizabeth Allan

• 1998 Silver medal with Rita Theron (South Africa)

• 1999 Silver medal with Maria Pinterova (Hungary)

World Singles:

• 2009 Gold medal in Perth

• 2008 Bronze medal

• Every other year has at least made quarter finals

National Seniors Selector for seven years.

NSW State Junior and Women’s Selector for ten years.

2009: In her 60th year!

• 60+ Australian Singles and Doubles - Adelaide

• 60+ World Masters Singles and Doubles - Sydney

• 60+ The "unique" ITF world treble! - Perth