Local tennis star serves up a storm in the UK
Parkrand Tennis Complex player Samantha Johnson, recently represented the national u-19 school tennis team at the Schools' Team Tournament in the United Kingdom.
She also cracked her way into the top 30 of the national rankings prior to the tour.
Johnson, a member of the Gauteng East Junior Tennis Programme, competed in five match-ups including three singles battles and two doubles.
The tournament ran between June 29 and July 6.
She won two of her three singles matches and in the doubles, she and Team South Africa partner Mieke van Deventer, just lost by two points.
Her contest in which she partnered Tamsin Hart was cut short due to time constraints.
This was the St. Dominic matriculant’s third time representing the country, having done so in 2012 as part of the u-14 side which toured Malaysia.
She was selected again the following year when she visited the UK.
“The tennis was amazing because I got to play on both clay and grass. Playing on grass was a totally new experience for me,” she recalled.
“I also had the chance to play against players I’ve never played before. Experiencing the different types of strategies and tactics on each surface allowed me to improve and broaden my game. I won two of my three singles which I am extremely happy with and I think I played some of the best matches of my life.
My game on the court has improved immensely. Then at Wimbledon, I got to see up close how the professionals play.
It was awe-inspiring and inspirational to watch them. I was so motivated by Wimbledon. I also learned so much from the professionals about tactics, mental toughness and technique.
I managed to see all my favourite players which was an added bonus. I came back with both my tennis and my mind broadened,” she explained.
Her favourite players include the game’s great Roger Federer as well as Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev. – @SabeloBoksburg
