Media personality, author and former Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil shares her favourite tennis memories in our Celebrity Match series.
Melbourne, Australia, 12 July 2023 | Leigh Rogers
Maria Thattil was crowned Miss Universe Australia in 2020.
She is now an ambassador, activist, presenter and a popular media personality, who has appeared on The Project and I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!
Earlier this year, Thattil released her first book, Unbounded: Manifesting a life without limits. The book explores the complexities of race, sexuality, gender, and identity.
In our Celebrity Match series, Thattil shares her early tennis memories and reveals her most memorable Australian Open experiences …
Tell us about your tennis experience. Have you played before?
I’ve hit a couple of balls over the net in my primary school days and look – my career was looking promising until one day when I copped a tennis ball to the face and abruptly quit! I did love the game though. I’ve been thinking about picking up a racquet again for fun!
Do you remember what your best shot was when you played?
I haven’t played anything notable, although I did find myself involved as the umpire at the Australian Open’s Glam Slam this year. My best ‘shot’ was throwing to the spectators to gauge what they thought was happening in the game because truthfully, I’m a novice!
Maria Thattil in the umpire chair during the Glam Slam celebrity match at Australian Open 2023.
What is your earliest tennis memory?
Being about 10 or 11 years old on a Saturday morning, waking up early, donning a tennis skirt and cap and going to the local courts for lessons with my brother. I still remember the warm rust colour of the surface and how warm my coach was. As a kid who was more academically inclined and preferred a classroom, tennis was the one sport I genuinely enjoyed.
Do you have a favourite tennis memory?
My favourite tennis memory was in 2021, I was the Piper-Heidsieck ambassador for the Australian Open that year and was given the opportunity to watch an incredible match from seats right on the court. I remember watching Novak Djokovic play against Jeremy Chardy and it was absolutely electric! We were treated to an incredible experience in The Dressing Room too, where we met other tennis fans and bonded over our love of the game.
Do you remember the first professional match you saw live? Who played?
My first live match was in 2016, but…
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