Double whammy for Sabelo Domenic Mathebula after a short absence from tennis
Mathebula's efforts helped his team, Blue Bloods, scoop a bronze medal at the Nelspruit Tennis Club Action Tennis League.
After a hiatus from the sport, Sabelo Domenic Mathebula repeated last year’s feat by scooping top honours at the Mpumalanga Seniors Closed Tournament over the weekend. Last year, he aced the singles and doubles titles in Secunda. He again achieved this double whammy at this year’s tournament.
The road to victory was no easy task; Mathebula was drawn against top seeded Elliot Skosana who plays at Sasol Secunda Tennis Club. His experience in the sport saw him making a comeback after being 2-5 down. After five games, his fortunes were reversed and he won the second set 7-5.
After drawing on his reserves of strength and skill, he dominated the second set with a 6-2 score. The semi-final provided another thrilling tennis encounter when he faced Wiseman Nkambule. Mathebula dispatched the former 7-5, 6-2 before beating second seed, David Moganedi 6-3, 6-4.
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He did not rest on his laurels and teamed up with Moganedi to contest the doubles. The pair snatched the crown with a 7-5, 4-6 and 10-7 triumph over Skosana and Nkambule.
“I am grateful to Nelspruit Tennis Club as they welcomed me very well and gave me a platform to play the game one more time. I am really inspired that the club is pushing the idea of integration and using the sport to unite people,” he said about his return to the game.
The weekend’s scintillating performance on the courts is nothing short of a dream comeback for the player after his absence from tennis. Mathebula’s efforts helped his team, Blue Bloods, scoop a bronze medal at the Nelspruit Tennis Club Action Tennis League.
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“At this stage my goal is to practice more in order to find my rhythm. I also intend playing more tournaments from now on, and get to a point where I can inspire and introduce more children to the sport.
“Winning the Mpumalanga Seniors Closed Tournament for the second time was really great, and it proves that this is a God-given talent. Playing against the best in our province made me realise that I need to double my efforts in order to catch up. Mpumalanga has so many great tennis players and I am really happy to come back to this space,” he concluded.
