Game, set, match
RUIMSIG – Tennis players, Cherry and Aiden Henri, think tennis needs to be grown as a sport in South Africa.
Mother and daughter, Cherry and Aiden Henri have been playing tennis at Ruimsig Country Club for the past 16 years.
Cherry played tennis for many years before moving to the club in Ruimsig. She remembers sitting on the side of the court as a youngster while her parents played. Her interest and passion for the game grew through watching them, and she began to play when she was 12.
“My parents cut off the end of a racket to make it smaller for me and gave it to me to learn the game,” Cherry said.
As if history was meant to repeat itself, Aiden had the same experience and learnt from her mother and father. She was 13 when she began to play and participated in school tennis. It was at this time that both Aiden and her mother joined Ruimsig.
Aiden’s passion continued to university and now she plays socially and in the championships run by Ruimsig Country Club.
Even though tennis can be hard on the joints and Aiden has suffered wear and tear injuries, she sees herself playing until she is 70.
In the years that the Henris have been at the club, they agree the club is doing well but it needs younger members who can be the future of the club, enabling it to continue to grow.
Aiden said she feels interest in tennis among young female players is windling as there are not many players between the ages of 20 and 40 at their club.
Cherry added that tennis itself needs to grow as a sport in South Africa.
Aiden chimed in that there is still a family vibe at the club which has a good committee that is willing to invest their time and passion.
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Details: Captain of tennis at Ruimsig Country Club, Ellaine Wells 083 307 3555.
