Reece Whitby hails Perth as sporting hotspot with Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz in town, despite Serie A failure

Tourism Minister Reece Whitby has shrugged off the cancellation of a blockbuster Serie A football match, insisting Perth’s 2026 calendar is packed. As he welcomed some of the world’s top tennis players to Cottesloe beach ahead of the United Cup, Mr Whitby insisted the State Government’s major events strategy was a winner. “We’ve been working continually for on other events, Sail GP that’s going to be fantastic, the AFL origin,” he said. “The AFC Women’s World Cup (is) coming to Western Australia. These are amazing events. These are big events.” More than $91 million was allocated for event tourism in the 2025-26 Budget, but it’s unclear how much of that was set aside for the tournament match between AC Milan and Como that was officially called off last week. The Government has said no money changed hands with Serie A or football governing bodies. “It was well worth the effort and we’re not ashamed,” Mr Whitby said. “We’re not going to step back in terms of getting big interesting, global, globally significant events, to Perth, to highlight our potential as a destination, a global destination.” Mr Whitby joined tennis stars Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz for a light-hearted beachside training session with Cottesloe nippers on Tuesday, before they launch their defence of America’s United Cup crown. The pair described the team event as a great warm-up for the Australian Open. “Last year was my one of my favourite events,” Gauff said. “A lot of pressure whenever you’re competing for your country, but also I think it takes the pressure off just having a team environment.” But the world number three conceded she’s unlikely to get the spare time to make the most of Perth beaches. She’ll be spending New Year’s Eve in her hotel room. “No party this year,” she joked. “I think from my room, I could probably see the fireworks, so I’ll probably just watch them from there. “I won’t probably have time to go to the beach other than this, but it is so cool to be able to see it in person.”