While Marketa Vondrousova squared off against Ons Jabeur on Centre Court to win the Wimbledon women’s singles title, Nathan Diggeden was also on court perfecting his craft at the Wilson and Planet Fitness tennis tournament at the Gauteng East Tennis Association (GETA) courts in Lakefield on July 15.
The East Rand resident expressed his desire to don his whites, play at the All England Lawn Tennis Club and win the Wimbledon men’s singles title.
“I would love to turn pro. My dream is to play at Wimbledon. I’d like to go to a university in the USA and play tennis for them,” he said.
For Diggeden to realise his SW19 dream, he believes there should be more International Tennis Federation (ITF) juniors’ matches in SA, which would better his chance at a professional career.
“In other countries, there are ITF matches weekly. The players in those tournaments have a huge advantage,” he said.
While he hailed the strides Tennis South Africa (TSA) had made in making the sport accessible, he said playing regularly on the ITF circuit would open doors for them.
“It gives you exposure. We’d have a better chance to improve if we had more ITF matches here. We would also have better chances for the best players we’ve seen here today.”
He said SA tennis players Kevin Anderson and Lloyd Harris, who are on the ATP tour, inspired him. He said their ascendency to the professional ranks showed there was potential in SA.
Diggeden and his doubles partner, Jaco van Lingen from Krugersdorp, brushed aside every team they faced at the tournament.
Desirè Wilson organised the event, which included singles matches for beginners and intermediates and the more experienced hardball players who played in doubles competitions.
Only in their second match together, Diggeden and Van Lingen showed their intent from the first match, playing a perfect game.
ALSO CHECK: MMA fighter to represent South Africa in World Championships
Without the luxury of a roof or pavilion like their idols at SW19, it was action aplenty when players, parents, and fans came in their numbers, despite the chilly weather.
“It was a good day. We had good players. I thoroughly enjoyed the tournament,” said Van Lingen.
The winners received prizes from sports equipment manufacturer Wilson Sporting Goods and fitness centre Planet Fitness.
