Rivonia Tennis Club member looks back on his sporting career
Duncan Horne has been part of Rivonia Tennis Club since his teens, and has hopes of representing the country once more.
One local resident has served his tennis at Rivonia Recreation Club in Paulshof since the age of eight.
Tennis club member Duncan Horne had made a name for himself in tennis when he was named in the club’s first team for junior tennis. “I developed a love for the sport at a very young age, when I was watching the Wimbledon finals with Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe,” he reflected.
“When I saw this match I immediately ran outside and started hitting the tennis ball against the wall in the garage and backyard. From there, I started playing tennis whenever and wherever I could.”
When in the junior tennis team at the club, he continued into high school where he made first team in Grade 9 until Grade 12.
Horne took part in the ITF Tennis Masters’ World Championships in Portugal last year. He was in both the team and individuals events. The player represented the country when he was 17 in the World ATP Doubles Men’s Open Invitational. “It was really difficult for me because I did not have any sponsorship and/ or the finances to go,” he said.
“My wife Claudia Gesualdi-Horne organised a fundraiser for me so that we could raise the money for the trip. Without the fundraiser and the amazing generosity of some people I would not have had the opportunity to go. I am humbled by this and people’s willingness to help.”
Locally, Horne made the final of the National Tennis tournament in Pretoria organised by Tennis South Africa. He made the mixed doubles final where they narrowly lost. Next up is the Gauteng North tournament.
He also enjoys playing padel tennis. He played in a padel tournament with his doubles partner and reached the last round of 16 matches, where they lost to the world number 10. He also studied Shaolin martial arts for nearly 11 years.
The tennis player also coaches the sport, which has recently become a passion for him. “I would like to try and host tennis tournaments and clinics for junior tennis players of South Africa. There is unbelievable talent in this country and it just needs to be discovered and developed in the right way,” he said regarding his goals.
“Another goal would be to represent South Africa again in another world team event in the years to come.”
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