Randburg welcomes top-ranked coach
BLAIRGOWRIE — Dick has been playing tennis since he was nine.
The Randburg Tennis Club has welcomed seasoned and top-ranked South African tennis player Robert Dick this year.
Dick (45), who moved up from Cape Town, is preparing for the 37th ITF Young Seniors World Individual Championship in March. He will travel back to the Mother City where he will compete in the championship for the third time.
Last year, Dick and partner Bruce Young reached the men’s doubles semi-final, where they won the bronze medal beating Liselot Prechtel and Sander Groen 6-4 6-3. Dick also reached the last 16 in the singles.
“It was tough competition, especially playing on clay. But we had a good run and played against really good players,” he said.
He is hoping to go one better and take silver in the doubles this year.
Dick qualified for the world championship after he played in his ninth South Western Districts Seniors Tennis Open last year, where he lost in the final. Before last year, he had won the open seven times in eight years. “I was not fit or strong enough. I need to make a conscious effort to be fitter,” he said, referring to last year’s final.
Dick has been playing tennis since he was nine years old and coaches and plays professionally. “Tennis has allowed me to make friends across the world,” he said.
He is preparing for the world championship while helping out at the tennis club.
