One of the brightest young lights at the NWU/Riaan Venter Tennis Academy (RVTA) is Potch local, Reuben de Klerk.
The 15 year old academy player reached his first ITF junior final in a true underdog display. De Klerk made it all the way to the final (u.18) after progressing through the qualifying rounds of the ITF Junior (J5) tournament held from 20-24 June in Pretoria. De Klerk had to win three qualifying matches just to get into the main draw of the competition.
This did not deter him as he brushed off four challengers before losing to Daniel Calver 4-6, 0-6 in the final.
De Klerk beat Joseph Townes 6-3 6-4 in the first round, before dispatching Connor Doig 7-6 6-3 in the second round. A tricky quarter-final win against Shane Tapera (4-6, 6-2, 6-2) followed. De Klerk had to come back from a set down, but showed guts and determination to pick up the win.
The semi-final against Daniel Wilson was plain sailing with a 6-4 6-2 victory.
De Klerk’s coach, Munashe Chingono was also with him the entire week coaching and mentoring him, Other RVTA players also achieved career high results. They are Nadia Gouws, semi finalist in the singles, Heinrich Rootman, semi finalist in the boys doubles and 13 year old, Jahnie van Zyl of Laerskool Mooirivier, also a semi finalist in the girls doubles.
