Joburg Tennis

01/10/2026

21/09/2026

Randburg Dominate Leagues

Randburg Tennis Club once again proved why they remain a powerhouse in Gauteng tennis, successfully defending both their men’s and ladies’ Bundes League titles in a pair of finals that were far tighter than the scorelines
suggest.

Dual Title Defence

Randburg’s ladies were pushed to the edge by CCJ in a fiercely contested
final. Although the match score stood level at 3–3, the real battle was in
the sets. CCJ only got the better of Randburg’s in two three‑set fights, but
Randburg’s three victories came in straight sets. That efficiency proved
decisive, giving Randburg an 8–6 win on total sets and securing their second
consecutive ladies’ title.

Men’s Final: A Battle of Nerves

The men’s title hinged on a tense showdown with Marks Park. Randburg surged ahead 3–1 after the singles, but the margin hides the drama: three of the
four singles matches went to a third‑set tiebreak, with Randburg clinching two of those pressure moments.

Heading into the doubles, Randburg needed just one win. Marks Park refused to fold, pushing both doubles matches into deciding tiebreaks. Randburg, showing trademark composure, captured both ten‑pointers to seal a 5–1 victory.

Despite the seemingly comfortable final score, five of the six matches went
the distance, and Randburg claimed four ten‑pointers—a testament to their
resilience under fire.

Both Randburg teams demonstrated grit, depth, and big‑match temperament. Successfully defending titles is never easy, yet they did it in back‑to‑back seasons, and under immense pressure. A superb achievement for the club and its players.

16/09/2026

An event for the men

14/09/2026

Lifetime Achievement Award - Rene Plant

Born: 26 July 1964

What a privilege it is for Joburg Tennis to honour someone whose name has been synonymous with South African tennis for so many decades.

Rene Plant is recognised throughout the South African tennis community for her achievements as a player and coach. Yet perhaps what makes her contribution so special is that wherever tennis has taken her, she has made a meaningful impact on the community around her. From the Free State, to the Western Province and Gauteng, Rene has consistently given back to the sport that has been such a defining part of her life.

A Life Shaped by Tennis
Rene was surrounded by tennis from an early age. Her mother was a tennis coach and Rene began playing at just six years old. Her father was involved with tennis at Eunice School and with Free State Tennis, while her aunt, Pat Pretorius, was a member of the famous South African team that won the Fed Cup in 1972.
Rene quickly established herself as one of South Africa's most promising young players. She competed in junior tournaments throughout the country, winning both the South African Under-16 and Under-18 National Championships and reaching the number-one ranking in her age group from Under-14.
Her talent extended onto the international stage. Rene reached the Top 10 of the World Junior Rankings and, in 1981, reached the final of the Junior Wimbledon Championships, where she faced Zina Garrison.
That same year, she won the South African Open WTA Doubles title with
Beverley Mould. She was also the overall winner of the South African Sugar Circuit in both 1980 and 1981.

An International Professional Career
Rene turned professional on the WTA Tour in 1983, embarking on an international career that saw her compete against some of the greatest names in women's tennis.
In 1985, she achieved a career-high world ranking of No. 27 in women's
singles.
She competed in the French Open and US Open and reached the last 16 at
Wimbledon in 1985, where she faced the legendary Martina Navratilova. At the French Open in 1984, she reached the last 16 in women's doubles.
During her professional career, Rene won five ITF singles titles and two ITF
doubles titles and shared the court with some of the icons of the game, including Steffi Graf, Gabriela Sabatini, Virginia Wade and Billie Jean King.
After three years on the professional circuit, Rene returned to South Africa
and studied for a BA in Psychology at the University of Stellenbosch, where
she represented the Maties tennis team from 1986 to 1989.

Continuing to Compete
Rene's competitive career did not end with professional tennis. She has continued to participate in senior tennis for many years, winning numerous TSA National singles and doubles titles in her age groups. She has also represented South Africa in international IC tournaments and continues to grace local events with her presence.
Her achievements on the world senior stage are exceptional. In 2005, in Perth, Rene won both the Singles and Doubles titles at the Seniors World Championships. In 2006, she added another World Championship Doubles title in Durban and, in 2017, won a silver medal in the doubles in Cape Town.
She remains active in local league tennis, representing Bryanston Sports
Club, and continues to encourage her top St Mary's players to experience the
competitive environment of league tennis alongside her.
Her international team achievements have continued well into recent years.
In 2023, partnering with close friend Rosanne Duke, she won the La Caretta
Cup for the South African IC team in Brussels.
In recognition of her extraordinary contribution to South African tennis,
Rene received the IC Tennis Legend Award in March 2026, acknowledging her 50-year commitment to South African tennis as both a player and elite coach.

An Elite Coach and Mentor
Rene's contribution to tennis, however, extends far beyond her playing career. After qualifying as a teacher at Stellenbosch University, she became a
TSA-registered coach in 1990 and has been coaching and teaching ever since.
She is currently a TSA Elite Professional Tennis Coach (Level 3), the highest coaching qualification in South Africa.
Her coaching career has included provincial, national and international
responsibilities. While based in the Western Province, Rene coached WP squads and IPT teams for five years. After returning to Joburg, she became coach and manager of the Gauteng Central IPT team for at least six years, ran the team's trials for 14 years and organised the Rising Stars event for five years.
She has also played a major role in school and junior tennis. As Chairperson
of Girls High School Tennis, representing around 50 active high schools, she has organised the league as well as senior and junior Inter-High
competitions since 2009.
At national level, Rene has accompanied South African teams across a range
of age groups, serving as coach and manager. Her responsibilities have
included the Under-12 team to Bruges, the Under-14 team to Prostejov for the
World Junior U14 Championships on two occasions, and the Under-18 girls'
team at the African Cup in Morocco.
From 2018 to 2020, Rene served as TSA National Women's Fed Cup/Billie Jean
King Cup Coach and Captain. During this period, she also took responsibility
for organising Whiphold training camps and tournaments aimed at developing
young South African women players.

Growing Tennis Through Schools and Communities
Rene's influence can be seen at grassroots level as well as at the highest
levels of the game. After beginning her teaching career at Brescia House, she joined St Mary's School Waverley in 2009, where she has continued to combine education and tennis. She organises tennis festivals for Grade 2 and 3 learners, primary schools and senior schools, creating opportunities for young players to discover and enjoy the sport.

She remains actively involved in coordinating tennis at Waverley Girls
School and has also supported grassroots development through equipment drives for the Ellis Park Grassroots Foundation.
From elite international competition to school festivals, provincial teams
and grassroots development, Rene has consistently understood that the future
of tennis depends on creating opportunities at every level.

A Lifetime of Contribution
Rene Plant's journey in tennis is extraordinary-not simply because of the
titles, rankings and international achievements, but because she has
continually transformed her experience into opportunities for others.
She has been a champion player, elite coach, teacher, administrator, team
captain, mentor and advocate for junior tennis.
Her journey began in the Free State as a young player, took her onto the
international professional circuit and through coaching and administration
in the Western Cape, before bringing her home to Joburg, where she has
continued to make an enduring contribution to the game.
For more than 50 years, Rene has given her talent, knowledge, energy and
passion to tennis. Her legacy can be seen not only in the trophies she has
won, but in the many players she has coached, teams she has guided, young
people she has inspired and opportunities she has created.

For her outstanding achievements as a player, her exceptional contribution
as a coach and administrator, and her lifelong commitment to developing
tennis at every level, Joburg Tennis is honoured to present Rene Plant with
the Lifetime Achievement Award.

13/09/2026

Lifetime Achievement Award - Lynda Johnson

Born: 18 August 1955

For almost five decades, Lynda Johnson has given her time, energy and unwavering commitment to Marks Park Tennis Club, becoming far more than a club administrator. She is a custodian of its history, a supporter of its players and the quiet force that has helped keep the club thriving across
generations.

A Lifetime of Service to Marks Park

Lynda joined Marks Park Tennis Club while she was in Grade 11, at just 16 years of age. Two years later, at 18, she joined the club committee. Her initial motivation was simple but powerful: she wanted to help create a strong junior programme for her younger brother, who was then just 11 years old. Her commitment to the club quickly grew. In 1976, Lynda was honoured with the Sportsperson of the Year award and, in the same year, took her involvement in club administration to another level when she was elected Club Secretary. Now, almost 50 years later, she continues to fulfil that role-an
extraordinary record of dedication and service.
In 2022, following the emigration of Cyril Rudman, Lynda added Club Chairperson to her responsibilities. She is quick to acknowledge the support of her committee and the influence and guidance of the Rudman family, but behind the scenes it is Lynda who has consistently ensured that the club's foundations remain strong. She has maintained impeccable records, ensured that the club's day-to-day needs are attended to and brought calm authority, efficiency and accuracy to countless meetings and decisions. Every minute recorded, every detail attended to and every task completed is a reflection of the care she brings
to the club.

Building a Tradition of Tournament Tennis

In 1981, Lynda and Cyril Rudman added the Marks Park Open to the South African tournament calendar. At a time when the country had an abundance of tournaments, the event initially secured a place on the calendar only every second year. By the early 1990s, the Marks Park Open had earned a permanent place on the calendar and today stands as a Grand Prix event - a lasting testament to the vision and commitment of those who established it.
Lynda has also organised countless junior and senior tournaments over the decades, from men's and women's doubles to mixed doubles and everything in between. Her focus has always extended beyond simply running a successful tournament. She ensures that players feel welcome, relaxed and valued. For Lynda, a tournament is about the people as much as the tennis. Winners receive their trophies, but they also receive her genuine congratulations and the warm applause that makes them feel celebrated. She brings the same care to the Annual Club Championships, where she pours her heart into preparing the awards ceremonies and ensuring that every player feels recognised and that the occasion reflects the spirit and values of Marks Park.

A Remarkable League Record
One of Lynda's proudest achievements is that, across 50 years of managing Marks Park league teams, the club has never scratched a team from any league. That is an extraordinary achievement in today's world of busy schedules and competing commitments. But perhaps even more remarkable is that she achieved much of this before the days of mobile phones and instant messaging. Lynda recalls that, in those days, finding a player at the last minute meant knowing their friends and family well enough to track them down-often using a landline telephone. Somehow, year after year, team after team, she made sure the players were there. Despite the countless hours she has devoted to the club, Lynda remains characteristically humble. She describes her involvement as an honour and a privilege, and speaks warmly of the wonderful people who have been part of her journey.

The Heart of Marks Park
Lynda Johnson is more than a stalwart of Marks Park Tennis Club. She is its backbone, its memory-keeper, its organiser and its encourager. For almost 50 years, she has given her time without fanfare, ensuring that players have opportunities to compete, tournaments run smoothly, teams take to the court and the traditions of the club are preserved. Her contribution is measured not only in the years she has served, but in the countless players, teams, tournaments and club members who have benefited from her dedication.

For her extraordinary length of service, her commitment to the development and administration of tennis, and her unwavering dedication to Marks Park Tennis Club, Lynda Johnson is a truly deserving recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

12/09/2026

Lifetime Achievement Award - Mickey Styles

Born: 27 September 1951

Mickey Styles has devoted much of his life to tennis - as a player, coach,
administrator and mentor - and his contribution to the sport spans more than five decades.

An Outstanding Playing Career
Mickey was the South African Under-18 National Junior Champion in 1969 and
went on to represent South Africa in international junior competition.
He represented South Africa at the Orange Bowl alongside Byron Bertram, who would go on to become a Wimbledon Junior Champion for two consecutive years. Mickey also partnered Bertram to victory in the Coffee Cup in Costa Rica and
the Sunshine Cup at the Orange Bowl. One of the highlights of his junior
career came at the Coffee Cup, where he defeated the legendary Guillermo
Vilas on his way to reaching the semi-finals. He also won numerous other
junior tournaments during this period.
As a senior player, Mickey's record was equally remarkable. He held the West
Rand Singles title for an extraordinary 19 consecutive years and represented
the Southern Transvaal Senior Team for 12 years, winning the title on nine
occasions. In 1972, Mickey was runner-up in the South African Closed Championships in Pretoria, losing to Bernie Mutton in the final. His doubles career produced another notable achievement. Partnering Dion
Joubert, Mickey reached the semi-finals of the South African Open Doubles,
defeating Brian Fairlie and Sherwood Stewart-at the time the world's
number-one ranked doubles partnership-along the way.
Mickey continued to compete successfully throughout his career, winning numerous senior tournaments.
At club level, Mickey began his career at Parkview Tennis Club before moving to Wanderers. During that era, the Wanderers team featured an exceptional group of players: Byron Bertram, Grayson Garner, Terry Ryan, Gordon Forbes,Rohan Summers and Mickey Styles. He later joined Transvaal Automobile Club (TAC), where he played at number one singles and achieved an extraordinary record - he did not lose a match in nine years.

Coaching and Administration
Mickey's contribution to tennis extended far beyond his own playing
achievements. He began working for Dunlop Sports in 1972 and became deeply involved in coaching and tennis administration. He served for eight years on the Southern Transvaal Coaches Committee and a further eight years on the South African Coaches Committee, including five years as Chairman. He also served on the national coaching panel before becoming Convenor of the Coaches
Coaching Panel.
Mickey served as General Manager of the Gauteng Central Tennis Association
for 15 years, playing an important role in the organisation and development
of tennis in the region. Together with Jeff Player, he founded the Mini Series tennis tournaments and was instrumental in creating the Bundes League, which continues to provide
competitive opportunities for players today. As a coach, Mickey led the Southern Transvaal squad for 15 years and coached Wayne Ferreira for four to five years during the early stages of Ferreira's development. He also coached the Southern Transvaal Interprovincial Team, guiding the team to numerous victories.

A Lifetime of Service
With his extraordinary knowledge, experience and passion for the game,
Mickey became a go-to person in South African tennis for many years. Players, clubs, coaches and administrators all benefited from his advice, guidance and willingness to assist. His contribution has never been limited to winning matches or titles. Mickey has consistently worked to develop players, strengthen clubs, support coaches and create opportunities for people to participate in competitive tennis. His career represents a lifetime of achievement, service, leadership and
commitment to the sport.

For his outstanding playing achievements, his contribution to coaching and administration, and his enduring commitment to the growth and development of tennis, Mickey Styles is a most deserving recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

11/09/2026

Volunteer of the Year: Alec Galanakis

Grassroots Tennis Foundation

Celebrating a Year of Extraordinary Impact

Today, we recognise Alec Galanakis for his outstanding contribution to the growth, development and future of tennis in Johannesburg.
Through his commitment to the Joburg Tennis Grassroots Foundation and the development of the Ellis Park Tennis Centre, Alec has helped turn vision into action, creating opportunities for hundreds of young people who may otherwise never have had access to tennis.

In its first year, the Foundation introduced more than 320 young people to tennis through free coaching programmes, transforming underutilised facilities into a vibrant community tennis hub. Regular programmes now reach children from Johannesburg's inner-city communities, including around 50 children every Wednesday and Friday through the partnership with Egoli Youth Enterprise.

Alec's impact extends beyond participation. He has helped create a genuine pathway from learning the game to competing, with young players taking part in Rising Stars, Green Dot Tournaments, Rainbow Kidz, Johannesburg Junior Club League, Jozi Super 8 and Central Corridor League competitions. In 2026, seven Rising Stars teams representing 28 players were entered, demonstrating the programme's growing reach and success.

He has also played a key role in developing the next generation of coaches. Eight developing coaches have been registered and trained, with police clearance and ITF safeguarding training in place. A Safeguarding Officer has been appointed, professional coaching standards established in line with TSA requirements, and the new Centre of Apprenticeship at Ellis Park provides aspiring coaches with supervised practical experience and a pathway towards qualifications and employment.

Alec has further strengthened the connection between tennis and higher education through the successful partnership with the University of Johannesburg. The UJ Tennis Club has been revived and officially registered, with more than 143 students enrolled and 20–30 participating regularly each afternoon. The programme also provides UJ Sports Management students with valuable practical experience in sports administration.

Equally significant is Alec's contribution to preserving the history and heritage of South African tennis. His work helped secure official heritage recognition for the Ellis Park Tennis Centre, culminating in the awarding of a Heritage Blue Plaque by the City of Johannesburg Department of Arts, Culture and Heritage on 25 June 2026. Strong relationships have also been established with the City's Sport and Recreation and Arts, Culture and Heritage departments.

The vision is clear: to make Ellis Park not only a centre of tennis excellence, but also a celebrated home of South African tennis heritage.

Alec's contribution demonstrates the extraordinary impact that committed volunteering can have. He has expanded access, developed players and coaches, revived university tennis, preserved our heritage and strengthened the connection between tennis and the wider Johannesburg community.

For his time, energy, leadership and passion for growing tennis and creating opportunities for the next generation, we proudly recognise Alec Galanakis as our Volunteer of the Year.

08/09/2026

Sinethemba Nogude – Joburg Tennis Journalist of the Year 2026

Congratulations to Sinethemba Nogude, the deserving recipient of the Joburg Tennis Journalist of the Year Award, presented at the Joburg Tennis AGM 2026.
While there have been many excellent articles and features highlighting tennis clubs and the game across Johannesburg, Sinethemba undoubtedly went the extra mile.

An award-winning journalist with Carte Blanche, Sinethemba is renowned for his compelling investigative and human-interest journalism. His work has covered major stories ranging from the devastating floods in Limpopo and ambulance drivers on the Cape Flats to the impact of foot-and-mouth disease, as well as memorable sporting stories, including his work showcasing the passion and energy of the Gwijo Squad.

It was thanks to an email from JT President, Enzio Zambetti, that the Carte Blanche team, under Sinethemba’s guidance, came to investigate the story of Ellis Park Tennis Centre and the surrounding schools and communities.

Sinethemba and his team approached the story with remarkable professionalism and sensitivity. He walked alongside Alec to visit the schools, meet the children and teachers, and gain a deeper understanding of the community work taking place. Together with Claire Mawisa and the film crew, he spent three days interviewing, filming and bringing the story to life.

The resulting feature generated an enormous response, both locally and internationally. Suddenly, Ellis Park Tennis Centre was back on the map, shining a light on its remarkable history, the Joburg Tennis Grassroots Foundation, its important role in the community and its potential future.

The exposure helped accelerate conversations around the declaration of Ellis Park Tennis Centre as a heritage site and contributed to a renewed and positive response from the City of Johannesburg and the Gauteng Department of Sports.

Sinethemba didn’t simply report a story — he helped give a community and an important piece of South African tennis heritage a voice.

Congratulations, Sinethemba, and thank you for using the power of journalism to shine a light on tennis, our communities and the remarkable work being done at Ellis Park.

A thoroughly deserved Joburg Tennis Journalist of the Year Award.

07/09/2026

Player of the Year: Shane Furrows
Randburg Tennis Club

At 28, Shane Furrows has developed a reputation as the player who keeps the juniors honest — and the results suggest they have plenty of reason to keep looking over their shoulders.

Shane enjoyed an outstanding 2025 season, claiming two Men’s Super 8 singles titles, winning in both Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. He also added the Belgrave Grand Prix and Marks Park Grand Prix men’s singles titles to an already impressive collection of results.

For those unfamiliar with the structure of TSA ranking events, tournaments are offered in the U12, U14 and U16 age groups, while the Men’s and Ladies’ sections are open to players of any age. This makes Shane’s performances particularly noteworthy. Week after week, he has gone toe-to-toe with some of South Africa’s best junior and collegiate players — and has more than held his own.

With no national championship events currently offered in Shane’s age group, there is unfortunately no official national title for him to chase just yet. But the clock is ticking for the opposition: Men Over 30 will need to be ready in 2027!

Shane has been equally influential on the club scene, where he is a familiar and formidable opponent in the top leagues around Johannesburg, competing in both men’s and mixed doubles. In 2025, he won four of his five matches at No. 1 singles, playing a key role in helping Randburg successfully defend their Bundesliga title.

His only defeat came in an incredibly tight encounter, where he lost a third-set tiebreak to Vaughn Hunter, a player who was part of the South African Davis Cup squad in 2022.

From taking on the country’s best young talent to anchoring Randburg’s No. 1 singles position, Shane has consistently demonstrated that experience, competitiveness and a love for the game can make for a formidable combination.

Congratulations to Shane Furrows — a thoroughly deserving Player of the Year!

05/09/2026

CCJ into Amex National Club Championships Final

The fifth seeded team defeated University of Limpopo and top seeds and defending Champions Wembly Tennis Club in the round robin portion of the event to secure themselves a spot in the semis. There they faced the third seeded North West University but drew on experience against their younger opponents to win the men’s and ladies’ doubles in close matches. The team now faces University of the Free State in the final on Sunday morning. Best wishes to Kim Peters, Lisca Nel, Michael Lowrings and Keegan Sullivan. Joburg Tennis and Gauteng wish you well and are behind you.