Tennis pro hangs up her racquet

She played her final match in the World Tennis Association (WTA) tournament in Australia in 8 January and was relieved to return home to tackle new adventures.
“I have been traveling, playing tennis since I was 14 and I was often away for six months or more at one time and I got tired of it. I always said when it became hard to get out of bed to go practise, I would know it was time to retire,” she said.
The 32-year-old plans to take her time and enjoy some leisure, before diving into another career. “It is hard to prepare for life after tennis, especially since I have been playing since I was little. I don’t have any plans at the moment, I want to enjoy my time at home and find the right job that I will enjoy, without rushing into anything.
I have always been a firm believer in education, so I have been studying business management through UNISA for a few years and will continue to do so until I am finished my degree. I always give 110% to everything I do, so when I find the right job, I know I will give it my all.”
Natalie has dived straight into league tennis, assisting local club, Brighton Tennis Club to a victory against Mount Edgecombe on Saturday, 15 February. She has also dedicated much of her time to the tennis clinic for youngsters she started in 2012 with her sisters, Deirdre and Fiona. “I enjoy teaching these young children, as I feel that I am giving back to the community and to tennis. I would like to continue with this and if possible help some South African juniors transition to the senior ranks, because I know how hard it is and how much hard work you have to do to get to the top of the game.
I have had so much support from my friends and especially my family. I would never have been able to do it without them”
Her close-knit family are glad to have her home and she hopes to travel South Africa with them. “I love my country and only wish more people would appreciate what we have and having travelled all over the world, I know the grass certainly isn’t greener on the other side. Every country has its problems.”
Looking back on her career, Natalie notes several highlights. “I got to a ranking of 22 in doubles in the world in 2012 and won my first WTA title in Korea. I got to the quarters of Australian Open for doubles, the third round of the French Open and the third round of Wimbledon in woman’s doubles. I also got to the quarters of the French in mixed twice.
I have enjoyed my years of traveling the world playing tennis, everything I have achieved I did on my own with no financial support from anyone and I would not want to change that, because I have learnt so much over the years about life. It made me grow up fast and understand the value of things and I would not be the person I am today if it had not been for tennis and having to do it all on my own overseas. I think because of that it made me want to do it more because I wanted to prove to myself and others that I could do it on my own.”
While, she happily puts airports, hand washing her laundry and dinners for one behind her, she said she would miss all the friends she made around the world. “I have met some amazing people who have helped me on my journey and I would never have been able to get as far as I have without them.”
Offering advice to up-and-coming tennis stars, Natalie said: “If you want to achieve something in life, you have to work hard, nothing comes easily and you have to make a lot of sacrifices to achieve what you want. It is no use complaining about things if you are not willing to help change it yourself.”
– erinh@dbn.caxton.co.za