The fourth annual Mary Maloney Aussie Open Tennis Tournament was held on Saturday at the Plum Creek Park Tennis Courts in Lexington. The event, overseen by Parks and Recreation Manager Jake Saulsbury, attracted local participants and spectators, as well as individuals from outside the Dawson and Gosper County area. More than 110 matches were played over the course of nearly 12 hours, making it a memorable day for tennis enthusiasts in the community.
Dedicated to the memory of Mary Maloney, who passed away at the age of 82 on May 11, 2020, Lexington’s Aussie Open pays homage to her lasting impact on the local tennis scene. Mary Maloney, originally from Melbourne, Australia, made a significant contribution to high school tennis in Lexington and played a key role in establishing the annual Lexington Labor Day Tennis Tournament. Her legacy has been fondly remembered by her close friend Linda Motzner, as well as by other tennis players in the community.
Following her move to Lexington in 1974 after marrying John Maloney, Mary joined forces with Linda Motzner to co-found the Lexington Labor Day Tournament. Their hard work and dedication attracted competitors from across Nebraska and beyond, shaping the tournament’s success from 1979 to 1999. In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the sport, Mary Maloney was rightfully inducted into the Nebraska Tennis Hall of Fame in 1999.
This year, in the wake of the easing COVID-19 restrictions in Nebraska, the city of Lexington introduced a new doubles tennis tournament to honour the legacy of Mary Maloney. The tournament boasted a competitive atmosphere, as players vied for victory in different divisions. In the youth division, Landen Soncksen and Oliver Fellers emerged victorious, while Asher Saulsbury and Nathaniel Miller clinched the top spot in the men’s doubles division. Kayleigh Cetak and Lexi Benson showcased their skills and secured the first position in the women’s division, while Joel Monter and Jenna Atwood displayed an impressive performance and emerged as the winners in the mixed doubles division.
The annual Aussie Open Tennis Tournament is not only a celebration of the sport but also a heartwarming tribute to the life and contributions of Mary Maloney. The event’s success is a testament to the enduring legacy of an individual who left an indelible mark on Lexington’s tennis community.
The tournament offers an opportunity for local players to display their talent and compete in the spirit of sportsmanship, all while honouring the memory of a beloved figure in the community. As Lexington continues to uphold the traditions established by Mary Maloney, the Aussie Open serves as a fitting tribute to her lasting impact on the local tennis scene.