Master of Olivedale through injury

Klaus Vogel was made Olivedale Tennis Club Men’s Masters champion on 7 December, after the club’s top-seeded player conceded due to injury.

The annual tournament was held at the club on 6 and 7 December, with the club’s Top 10 seeded players competing for the title.

Through intense performances, Vogel and Andrew Freemantle took to the court in the final.

However, Freemantle, who is the club’s top-seeded player, played in a three-set, four-hour-long semi-final earlier in the day that affected his body.

He stretched and tried to cool down before the final but it was not enough.

Freemantle struggled with cramps in his legs from early on, and Vogel easily won the first set 6–1.

The cramps became worse as the match progressed, and when Freemantle was down two–love in the second set, he had to retire.

“It is never good to win like that, but I am glad I won,” Vogel said afterwards.

“What helped, was my fitness. All the other players were good but I had fitness.”

Freemantle said that despite losing because of cramps, he did not begrudge Vogel for the title.

“I could have won if I was fit,” he said, adding that he had had a back operation in March which affected his tennis since.

Details: Olivedale Tennis Club otc@olivedaletennisclub.co.za, www.olivedaletennisclub.co.za