At just 15 years old, Jordan Haynes is already making waves in the tennis world.
Jordan’s passion for tennis was ignited at the tender age of two and he is currently a member of the Florida Park Tennis Club (FPTC).
“I saw my dad playing with a friend, and I was hooked. I then started playing for my school in Grade R, and despite never having played a match before, I was their number one player,” Jordan recalls.
Jordan says initially, rugby and cricket took centre stage in school, however, his love and passion for tennis soon took over. Two years ago, he entered his first Tennis South Africa (TSA) tournament, and his journey to climbing the ranks began.
As a junior member of this club and with just second-year experience in competitive tennis, Jordan qualified for nationals, and he is ranked among the top 60 players in the country, which is a massive feat for this young man.
“I realised tennis required dedication and hard work. Leaving other sports was the best decision I have made. Now, I solely focus on tennis.”
His most memorable match is a recent one against Connor Miller, the number one player in the central region.
“Connor was unstoppable, and I was 3–0 down, but I adjusted my game, moving my feet better and hitting deeper balls. I won 6–4–6–4, giving me a spot in the quarter-finals, and I have a big chance of finishing first place in this tournament.”
Jordan’s current ranks:
• TSA U15: 18th
• TSA U16: 37th
• Number 1 at FPTC
Speaking to the Roodepoort Record, Jordan mentioned that his ultimate goal is to turn pro.
“Tennis has given me so much – new experiences, friendships and opportunities. I’ll keep working hard, improving every year. The journey won’t be easy, but I’m ready for the challenge.”
With his talent, dedication and passion, Jordan is undoubtedly a name to watch in the tennis world.
