Gold medal for Umtentweni tennis ace
Despite a few niggles, the veteran has been in top form.
Like a fine wine tennis player Ian Ackerman (Umtentweni Tennis Club) just seems to get better as he gets older.
He is not necessarily more mobile, but certainly more effective, or strategic, around the court.
At the Gauteng Ekurhuleni Open Tennis Masters held recently over two weekends, he won gold in the 75+ age division in the men’s singles.
Ian is the number one ranked player in his age group and he had to play well to beat John Coetzee, from Gauteng and ranked number five.
The final score was 2-6, 7-5, 7-5 in a three-hour battle that tested fitness and mental resilience.
The tournament was one of a number held in South Africa to determine rankings in different age groups for selection to qualify for the annual World Champs.
Ian also played in the 70+ doubles with Miles Foxcroft, losing in two sets in the final against the Gauteng duo of Marius Genis and Danie Bothma.
Martyn Nagtegaal (Southbroom) took part in the 65+ age group and played well, narrowly losing the singles final against Duard Botha 7-6, 6-4.
He also lost in the doubles final, playing with Duard, against Dimitri Karipi and David Griessel.
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