Andriana Petrakis, an Adelaide-based tennis player living with autism, is making waves in both national and global arenas. Currently ranked No.1 in Australia and No.5 in the world in the Intellectual Disability category, Petrakis is not only dominating the court, but also proving a powerful role model off it.
Representing Memorial Drive Tennis Club, Andriana competes every Saturday in the Division 1 Women’s team of her mainstream club competition, showcasing the strength of inclusive sport.
This week, she celebrated another milestone, graduating from the Next Level Elite program, a mentorship initiative for aspiring athletes, held at the Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club.
The event brought together elite athletes and speakers from across the sports world, offering workshops in leadership, personal growth, and public speaking.
Andriana was one of the evening’s standout voices, delivering an inspiring speech about her journey through the program and what it meant for her personal and professional growth.
“I had an awesome experience and learnt new things for my own goals,” she said. “I had a ball too!”
A highlight of the night was receiving her certificate from three-time Paralympic gold medallist Katrina Webb, who has been a guiding force for athletes in the program.
