KNYSNA NEWS - The Buffalo Bay round of the Kia Summer Slam Beach Tennis Tour held from 12 to 14 December last year was characterised by superb slams, gigantic serves and exhilarating volleys from some of the top-seeded beach tennis players in the world according to organisers.

It was the first time beach tennis was played on a competitive level in the Western Cape, and the tournament drew players from seven different countries including Russia, Brazil, France, Germany and Spain.

The event carried one of the highest prize pools on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) beach tennis circuit, with $35 000 up for grabs.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to showcase to these international sports stars our beautiful town and to create awareness around the critical work we do at the Knysna Education Trust,” said event organiser Nicola Goodall.

The trust hosted the Buffalo Bay round, thanks to generous sponsorship from SA golf legend Branden Grace.

Part of the tournament involved several free public coaching clinics, aimed at growing beach tennis in South Africa. In Knysna, 14 youngsters from the Knysna Sports Academy, and a number of interested locals were treated to some top class coaching as the world number one Nikita Burmakin, hailing from Russia, shared some valuable tips on playing the perfect shot.

Veronika Pershina from Russia. Photo: Julie Anne Photography

The Russian top-seeded ladies Daria Churakova and Luidmila Niloyan took the honours in the ladies' doubles, and in the men's doubles it was the French team of Mathieu Guegano and Guillaume Leruste who walked away with the number one spot. The SA men’s team of Tucker Voster and Ryan Brookshaw played a gigantic semifinal round, and gave the opposition a run for their money. 

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