JL's Mixed Winners 2008 arrive at Wimbledon!

This past Saturday I saw something I will not forget soon: five South Africans, climbing the hill towards my flat, dragging their baggage with them, speaking in what could only be described as a long-haul flight infused volume. Eight Months after winning my annual JL's Mixed Tournament, the team of Waterkloof High School arrived to attend the first week of this years Wimbledon Championships at SW-19. They are the 9th winners to attend.

To win my tournament, they had to outscore the other teams in the following categories: tennis (based on the World Team Tennis Format, Challenges (singing, dancing, putt-putt, cycling, netball, tenpin bowling and ball kicking) and Team Spirit. And judging their current enthusiasm, their spirit only grew since winning.

On Monday this years Championship started with near perfect weather. South Africans who are competing this year is Jeff Coetzee, Rik de Voest, Wesley Moodie, Kevin Anderson and Natalie Grandin. Jeff was the only one to play on Monday, playing his First Round Match with his Doubles Partner, Jordan Kerr of Australia. They went on to win 6-1 6-2 6-4 against Spaniards David Ferrer and Marco Lopez in what could only be described as a perfect display of grass-court tennis, with only four unforced errors from the Coetzee-Kerr team. They are certainly on the right track. The other South Africans must still play and I wish them all of the best.