Home Hill’s Adam Walton Inspires The Burdekin With Grand Slam Debut

Tennis in the Burdekin has received a massive boost this month with local junior Adam Walton starring on the international stage.  

Television sets across the region have been tuned into Channel Nine as Walton, along with plenty of other Australians, took to the court in the Adelaide International and the Australian Open earlier in January.

The 24-year-old recorded two stunning victories to earn his place in the Adelaide International main draw, defeating world No.70 Pedro Cachin before backing it up with a 6-3 6-2 win over world No.77 Bernabe Zapata Miralles in the final qualifying round.

Having never previously defeated a player inside the top 100, the world No.176 defeated two within 48 hours.

Walton came up against 7th seed Jiri Lehecka of Czech Republic in the Round of 32 on Tuesday, January 9, unfortunately going down 6-1 6-3.

Notably, Lehecka went on to win the tournament.

Walton then opened his Australian Open campaign on Sunday, January 14, coming up against Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi on Kia Arena.

The Aussie made an encouraging start and found himself serving for the opening set at 6-5 but was unable to hold.

Walton was then overwhelmed by Arnaldi who took command in the tiebreak and never really let go, winning 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 6-4.

The Italian was recently successful in lifting the Davis Cup alongside world No.4 Jannik Sinner in December 2023 after defeating Australian Alexei Popyrin in the opening match of the final.

He also reached the fourth round of last year's US Open before losing to Carlos Alcaraz.

While being eliminated in the early stages of both tournaments, Walton has successfully proven his skill and potential while inspiring the next generation of young North Queensland tennis players following a similar path to his.

Tennis commentators on the Nine Network have praised his developing game during the tournaments, with Lleyton Hewitt’s former coach Roger Rasheed believing the Burdekinite can continue to make a big impact if he can move forward in the court and attack more.

Ayr Tennis Club coach Patrea Bojack said her squad of talented juniors has been inspired by Walton’s performances on international television.

“They are so proud that a local tennis player has made it to a major and it can only help teach them that if you are willing to put in the hard work, you can make it,” Ms Bojack said.

“He deserves every bit of success because he has done it the hard way by building his game in the professional ranks through the American college system.

“I was so pleased when Tennis Australia granted him a Wildcard into the Australian Open as it can help him access tournaments in other places in the world plus at the very least walk away with $120,000 for being a first round competitor at Melbourne Park.”  

Walton, currently based in Brisbane, started playing tennis in Home Hill aged five alongside his older brother, Jack.

Taking every opportunity to further their young tennis careers, the brothers both received and accepted tennis scholarships to attend Brisbane school Churchie where they completed their final three years of schooling.

After finishing school, Adam pursued the US college pathway, attending the University of Tennessee and playing college tennis in America for five years before graduating and playing professionally since August 2023.

Walton was one of six Australian tennis players to be awarded coveted main-draw singles wildcards for the 2024 Australian Open.

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Adam Walton won his first ATP Challenger Tour title in 2023. Photo supplied: ATP Tour