Rising tennis star Andriana Petrakis has been awarded The Advertiser Foundation’s $10,000 Young Achiever Woman of the Year Scholarship.
Her recognition was announced at the 2025 Advertiser Sunday Mail SkyCity Woman of the Year Awards on Thursday night.
The scholarship will support her education and tennis career.
Petrakis, who began playing tennis at nine to develop hand-eye coordination, has since represented Australia at the 2023 Virtus Global Games.
She is currently ranked number five internationally and number two in Australia in the women’s singles category for athletes with an intellectual impairment. In 2023, she was named Tennis SA’s Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability.
Beyond her sporting achievements, Petrakis is a passionate disability advocate and assistant coach for Tennis SA’s Pathway Program, inspiring others with disabilities to take up the sport.
At the awards night, Petrakis expressed gratitude for the scholarship, saying it reflected her “dedication, determination, and hard work,” and encouraged others to pursue their dreams.
This morning, the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) has congratulated Petrakis via Facebook, saying she is a “huge inspiration” to many in the Hellenic community.
“Every person’s lived experience of autism is different – and Andriana has turned hers into a superpower,” GOCSA’s post read.
Source: The Advertiser
