A new tennis coach for Marks Park Tennis Club
The paper headed to the tennis courts of Marks Park Sports to chat newly appointed coach, Lloyd Segal to find out what his plans re for the club.
The only thing more powerful than Lloyd Segal’s backswing is probably his deep love for tennis.
The recently appointed tennis coach may be new to Marks Park Tennis Club, but the sport has been part of his life for decades.
Inspired by the backhand volleys of his grandfather and father, who were both professional tennis players, he knew he too wanted to serve the country with his sporting talents. “From when I was 13 years old I knew I would play tennis every day for the rest of my life,” he said.
In the years he played professionally, he won numerous local tournaments and placed in the top five in the country where he was ranked number four. He also travelled Europe for a few years, playing on a professional tour. One of his best competitions to be part of was the Soweto Open. “It was one of the highest-ranking ATP events. We had players in the top 100 in the world come to play so it was one of the best.”
Coming off tour to become a coach, he learned that he had to quickly lower his level so that young tennis players could be able to play with him. “My first challenge was learning all-encompassing tennis. I could play at the high levels but I needed to also learn to play at lower levels and this was one of my challenges in the beginning.”
To do this, he had to change a few aspects of his game such as his backswing and grip. In his late teens, he coached alongside his father, coaching tennis to players aged between five and 60 years old.
Segal believed a prime age to start tennis was probably between six and seven. He finds this age group has just started to develop ball skills and can more easily build a love for tennis. “Once they get older, it’s harder to build these ball skills and they will be more easily demotivated when they don’t see their progress.”
He hoped to bring back that top academy feel to the club and attract the best players in the country because ‘it is one of the best clubs in the country at the moment’.
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