DHS tennis sensation aces tournament played ‘down under’

Dundee’s teen tennis sensation, Zemichké Snyman, finished second in an international tennis tournament played in Melbourne, Australia, last month. After this amazing performance, Zemichké says she is keen to build a future for herself around the sport she loves.
The 16-year-old Dundee High School learner was up against top-rated opponents from around the world at the tournament. “The players took their tennis very seriously and there was some tough competition out there,” she says, adding that, “I never had confidence or trust in myself as a tennis player and this whole Australian tour – not just being placed second – helped me to gain that self-confidence. I am proud of how far I have come; not just as a tennis player but also with my general mind-set.”
Flying across the world in a time zone almost 12 hours ahead of South Africa, Zemichké says it was ‘nerve-wracking’.
“Actually, I think those nerves were also excitement. It was quite difficult adapting to the heat, but other than that, the people were very kind and willing to make us as comfortable as possible. The first few nights were restless ones, due to change in time zones, but I got used to it very quickly.”
While she did not know any of her South African teammates prior to the tour, they soon became close ‘like family’ and are now good friends.
“They definitely helped me feel more at home.” She says every day started at 08:00 with training.
Asked about the diet she followed, Zemichké says the players all ate (mostly) protein foods, but admitted to ‘slipping in some takeaways if we saw something good’.
There was also a chance to look around Melbourne after the matches. She went to Lake Hume in Albury for a picnic and hiked up to Monument Hill. The players also had an opportunity to watch the Australian Open at the Rod Laver arena, which was an experience Zemichké says ‘did not feel like reality’.
“Seeing in action all the tennis players I’ve idolised since I was little was truly amazing. The tennis arenas were huge and the spirit of the crowd was my favourite part of the experience.”
She also had a photo opportunity with young Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner, who had a good run in the Australian Open, eventually going down to Stefanos Tsitsipas in a five-set thriller 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3. Tsitsipas, in turn, went on to lose to Novak Djokovic in the final.
But right now, Zemichké is back to the reality of school.
And how difficult is it balancing her tennis with ‘ordinary school’? “I have to put in hard work on the court and at school, because both of them are important to me. However, balancing important things in one’s life is not hard if you put effort into it.”
In conclusion, Zemichké thanks her coach, Freddy Venter. “You’re an amazing coach and I’m blessed to have you in my life. Your constant motivation and encouragement pushed me to heights I never dreamed I’d reach. Thank you for inspiring me to be excellent in all that I do. Thank you for seeing and bringing out the best in me.”