Fabiana Hans de Andrade, a 14-year-old violinist in the North-West Youth Orchestra (NWYO), went to the United Kingdom after being selected for the Tennis South Africa u.17 Schools Team in March 2023.
Hans De Andrade joined the NWYO in Potchefstroom in 2019, and was the youngest member when joining. Hans de Andrade is a member of the Riaan Venter Tennis Academy (RVTA) in Potchefstroom under the coaching of Munashe Chingono.
The TSA 2023 tour included a tour to London where the players competed against private tennis clubs in London, as well as attend the Wimbledon games.
“I played at Sutton Tennis Academy as well as Bisham Abbey Sports Centre,” says Hans de Andrade. Sutton Tennis Academy is located in Rose Hill Village, Sutton, UK. Bisham Abbey Sports Centre is located in Bisham Village, Marlow, UK. These tennis academies are home to some of Britain’s top junior talent where players receive on-site coaching.
Johanna Konta, a retired female tennis player who was nr. 1 in Britian and nr. 18 in the world, received a year of training at Sutton Tennis Academy. Jamie Delgado, a former professional tennis player, is currently a coach at Bisham Abbey Sports Centre.
Hans de Andrade won all the matches she played at both academies during the TSA tour.
“I was thrilled to be a spectator and also meet some of the Greats in tennis like Iga Iga Swiatek (current World number 1), Lloyd Harris, and Roberto Bautista,” says Hans de Andrade. “I was blessed to watch the Semi Final that Novak Djokovic played as well.”
Hans de Andrade attends Wesvalia High School in Klerksdorp and participates in North-West Duathlon leagues.
“I participated at the NW Duathlon Championships this year and positioned at nr. 2 for the Girls u15. I had the opportunity to participate at the Nationals, but had to choose between the London TSA tour and Duathlon National Championships. I chose the tennis,” Hans de Andrade says.
Hans de Andrade is currently working hard and practicing to realize her lifelong dream of playing at Wimbledon, by participating in International Tennis Federation and Tennis South Africa Tournaments that are in play in South Africa.
