Casey's keen for a kick

By David Sutherland

As the number 39 ranked player in the world, Casey Dellacqua is the highest ranked female tennis player in Australia. That is especially impressive considering that less than two years ago she was just shy of 200.

Casey went into this year’s Australian Open ranked 78 in the world, and stormed through the early rounds only to be beaten by Jelena Jankovic in the fourth round. She also made the third round of the French Open in singles, and reached the final in doubles.

So we can take it as given that Casey can play a bit of tennis. But she’s also pretty handy when she gets an Aussie Rules footy in her hands.

Casey’s father played football in Western Australia where Casey grew up, even playing a few games for WAFL club West Perth. Her younger brother is also a keen amateur footballer, although recently Casey hasn’t been able to see him play nearly as often as she’d like.

“I’ve been away so much this year,” she says. “But I’m looking forward to getting down to see him play when I get home from the US Open.”

Even though Casey grew up in Perth she is a mad keen Carlton fan.

“When I was younger the Eagles weren’t properly established and the Dockers didn’t even exist,” she says. “So I chose Carlton.”

Her decision was cemented when the Blues’ won the 1995 premiership.

“I really got on board then,” she says. “From that moment I’ve been a diehard fan.”

Casey used to go round with number 1 on her jumper because she loved Stephen Silvagni. She also liked Mil Hanna. But these days she admires Chris Judd the most.

“I think he’s an amazing athlete, and the way he just conducts himself is so impressive,” she says. 

Today (Monday) Casey is winging her way to Beijing where she will compete in the tennis at the Olympics. Although she concedes that the event will be a tough one, with most of the best female tennis players in the world competing, she still has high hopes – and expectations.

“I’ve had a pretty good preparation, and I know that once I put on the green and gold and represent Australia I’ll be just doing my best,’ she says. “So anything’s possible!”

Although she’ll be in Beijing on Kick Around Australia Day on Thursday Casey reckons that with so many Aussies in town there will almost certainly be a few footies floating around the Olympic Village.    

“It shouldn’t be too hard to find some people to have a bit of kick to kick with,’ she says. “Although I suppose the guys might be worried about getting injured, so they may not want to go too hard!”