Vic serves tennis by nurturing grassroots talent
NGN speaks to Vic Puncec, who won 18 titles in Europe in his time as a pro, and had a successful stint with his brother on the doubles circuit.
FOR the past 40 years, Vic Puncec’s passion and love for tennis has never waned. The local resident who coaches at various schools said he is hoping to unearth the wealth of talent within the north Durban area. Puncec won 18 titles in Europe in his time as a pro, and had a successful stint with his brother on the doubles circuit.
His love for tennis began with his father, Frank who was ranked number one in Europe and number three on the world ATP.
“My dad was really the inspiration behind me. He represented the former Yugoslavia on the international scene. He won the national title nine times in a row. He twice reached the semi-finals of the French Open and Wimbledon. I remember whenever we were at the dinner table my dad would take tennis, he lived and breathed the sport. He would often regale us with stories of his travels and his matches. Whenever there was tennis on the TV, he would coach us by telling us what to do on the court.
“Years later in one of the most memorable doubles wins, my brother Frank and I won the Monte Carlo International Tournament. What made it special was my dad won the tournament in 1938. We saw his name on the winners plaques as we were walking out on the court which was a special moment,” he said.
While Puncec enjoyed a successful career in the singles and doubles events, his passion is giving back to the youth.
“I coach at Our Lady of Fatima every afternoon and at various other schools during the week. One of the most rewarding things for me is to give back to the youngsters. To be successful in tennis, you’ve got to start at grassroots levels and develop them from there. Durban North and uMhlanga has some exceptional talent, we just have to keep unearthing the potential. Technique and style is so important for youngsters and it’s important to get that right from the beginning.
“My aim is to work hard and find the young talent and help them develop into future champs. What gives me satisfaction is seeing the girls who couldn’t hold a tennis racket properly but is now holding their own on the court, it’s extremely rewarding. not holding the racquet, now holding their own,” he said.
