Game, set, match... and beach

KNYSNA TENNIS NEWS - Tennis SA (TSA) and Kia Motors recently signed a three-year deal to grow the exciting sport of beach tennis in South Africa. The new partnership includes a series of international events between 8 and 21 December 2018, and local charity organisation, Knysna Education Trust, will join forces with TSA to host the Knysna leg of the Kia Summer Slam at Buffalo Bay from 12 to 15 December.

Spanning two weeks, the four events that make up the Kia Summer Slam beach tennis tour will all be International Tennis Federation-ranking tournaments and, coupled with a total prize money pot in excess of $35 000, the crowds will witness some of the world’s best beach tennis players on the South African shores.

The final event, in Plettenberg Bay, from 15 to 21 December, will be one of the five richest beach tennis events in the world in terms of prize money.

TSA has pulled out all the stops to ensure that local enthusiasts can be part of this fantastic event. Free coaching clinics will be held at each event, giving beginners and beach enthusiasts an opportunity to learn from some of the top players before hitting the sandy courts for some game time.

Entry to the tournament is open to all over the age of 15 years and after a few lessons on the beach, players will be entered in the tournament draw. Consolation games are part of the tournament structure, thereby encouraging the ethos of participation and allowing for additional game time and fun for all.

Beach tennis is a fantastic spectator sport, high action, fast moves, insane slams, and just all-round admirable athleticism, and the tournament is free for spectators to come down to the beach and enjoy.

The PR Machine At the launch of the beach tennis sponsorship partnership between Tennis SA and Kia Motors SA, from left, is SA Beach Tennis player Bonny Davidson, Spar Netball Protea star Erin Burger, SA Beach Tennis player Lorraine Morifi, and Spar Netball Protea star Lenize Potgieter. Photos: The PR Machine