Tennis tourney unearths young talent

Several young athletic boys and girls, from around the country, gathered in Bloemfontein to compete in the South African junior tennis championships last weekend

The South African junior tennis championships that were held at the newly renovated Free State Tennis Stadium in Bloemfontein unearthed young local tennis talent, which signalled positive prospects for the sport in the province.

The national tournament saw several young athletic boys and girls, from around the country gather to compete in the four age divisions, namely the under-12, 14, 16 and 18.

Two young Free State representatives stole the show when they exhibited amazing tennis skills, to clinch two titles for the province in two separate age groups.

The U-12 boys title was won by local hero, Philip Henning, who beat second seeded William Wilson 6-3 and 6-1. The young Bloemfontein talent was top seeded and managed to make it two titles in a row at this year’s event.
Henning managed to grab another title in the U-12 doubles, where he had partnered with another local, Joubert Klopper. The Free State duo managed to down the Gauteng pair of Charl Morgan and Wilson, in two straight sets, beating them 6-1 and 6-2 to win the title.

In the girls U-16 showdown, Huibre-Mare Botes seeded three of Free State gave the hosts their first of two singles titles when she upset top seed Rouxanne Van Rensburg of Boland 4-6, 6-3 and 6-2.

“I am delighted with my first national singles win. The first set was tight, I gave away a lot of opportunities and after losing the first set I said to myself to remain calm and play my normal game. It worked and now I can smile as the new national champion,” said Botes after her emphatic victory.

The tournament came to an end on Monday, after two gruelling weeks of riveting tennis action.