Wanderers Club welcomes women for Thursday social tennis
Weekly evening sessions offer casual players a relaxed, pressure-free setting to build court confidence and connect with fellow residents.
Eager regulars and visitors filled the Wanderers Club tennis courts for social play on Thursday, October 29.
Men and women of different age groups came out in numbers to enjoy a warm Thursday afternoon of tennis while playing friendly matches among themselves.
Growing the game
Lucas Liepner, the social tennis organiser, said the initiative began five years ago after the Covid-19 pandemic, but getting people onto the courts was initially difficult.
“We realised that we had few ladies who joined us for tennis even though there were ladies who played in school while growing up or in communities, and coming to a sports club intimidated them because they thought it was competitive.”
He added that this is not the case, as the club attracts many beginner and intermediate players who have not played since school.
“We started with three to four ladies, and we now have close to 20 ladies who play regularly. We also have lessons for ladies on Tuesdays for those who want to refine their skills, which is also done in a group.”
Also read: U13 inter-provincial tennis tournament crowns Gauteng Central victorious
Building a community
The sport also fosters lasting friendships beyond the baseline.
Social player Mishka Bal said she joined the club when she recently moved to Johannesburg, and it helped her create friendships that went beyond the court.
Social tennis takes place on Thursdays from 17:30 to 21:00, and visitors pay a fee. Interested players can contact the club through its social media pages and WhatsApp channel to leave a message.
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