PORT Macquarie woman Pam Whytcross took out the officiating category at the Australian Tennis Awards last week.
Accepting the award, Pam said it was a great celebration of her career.
“‘I just want to thank Tennis Australia for putting the awards on,” she said. “It’s been a wonderful night and it’s really been very special for me.”
Pam said there had been many highlights in her career to date, including the Olympics.
“I’ve worked three Olympics which has been a highlight. Also, of course, the grand slams and I can’t really can’t single any one thing out. I think being part of the tennis world for 25 years has been amazing.”
Pam said her background as an elite-level tennis player (highest women’s ranking No. 75) had helped her in her refereeing.
“There’s not too many players that go in to administrating, officiating,” she said. “I’m one of a few and I think that has helped me because I can understand from a players’ point of view, not that others can’t, but especially in my early days I really knew what the players were looking for and wanting and it does help in scheduling and in off-court activities so it really has helped me in my later career.”
Legendary wheelchair tennis player David Hall, who presented Pam’s award, said he had known her for many years.
“The thing about Pam is no matter what event you go to she’s always smiling and willing to support the players,” he said. “I think that’s a really important thing for anyone involved in tennis to be made to feel comfortable and knowing that Pam is there and her level of professionalism is outstanding. I think that that’s a real credit to what she’s been able to accomplish.”
The awards were presented in Melbourne last Monday, with Leighton Hewitt taking out the top players’ award, the Newcombe Medal.
