लेख विवरण

Kathmandu — Young Nepali tennis player Shivali Gurung has officially secured her place in the Australian Open, becoming the first-ever player from Nepal to participate in a Grand Slam tournament.

Shivali will compete in the Under-14 Junior Elite Trophy category at the Australian Open, which will be held in Melbourne, Australia, from January 14 to 30, 2026.

By earning her spot in the Grand Slam through consistent top-level performances in age-group competitions, Shivali has created history for Nepali tennis. She is currently ranked 3rd in Asia in the Under-14 category — the highest-ever ranking achieved by a Nepali player in Asian tennis.

As part of the Grand Slam Player Development Program (ITF-ATF), Shivali participated in the Tennis to Europe tour, competing and training in countries such as France, Germany, and Belgium, which significantly contributed to her development.

Just this Friday, Shivali won two gold medals — in both singles and doubles — at the ITF J30 First Week Tournament held in Pokhara. Having recently turned 14, she also became the first Nepali player to win an ITF J30 title.

Shivali’s remarkable achievement marks a historic moment for Nepal’s tennis landscape, inspiring a new generation of young athletes.