Randburg-based Boskruin Tennis Club player Kyle Wilkson (12) won the Gauteng North Mini Masters Invitational Tennis Tournament in Pretoria, held from October 9 to 11.
Wilkson’s journey through the tournament highlights what can be achieved with determination, hard work and a strong support system. He contested three matches, recalling his toughest game to be the semi-final. “The most challenging encounter was the semi-final, where I faced a strong and highly consistent player,” he said. “We were evenly matched for much of the contest, and every point required complete focus. I had to remain composed and adhere to my game plan in order to prevail.”
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He draws inspiration from various players, including Novak Djokovic, who plays both an attacking and defensive game, Alec Beckley, who remains calm under pressure, and local player Stefan Matic, who taught him that even in defeat he can learn and experiment on the court.
He further shared that, despite the challenges, his ability to remain calm under pressure works to his advantage, earning him the nickname ‘Iceman’ from his mother. “When I won, my first thought was that this is the greatest achievement of my tournament career so far,” he said. “I felt a deep sense of pride and elation. For me, this achievement is significant because it has substantially boosted my confidence for competitive play and affirmed that the consistent work I have been putting in is paying off.”
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He noted that he has developed a more aggressive game recently, focusing on maintaining a balance between aggressive and defensive play while improving his shot placement. He shared what the experience has taught him. “It has shown me that I am capable of defeating higher-ranked players, including those who have previously beaten me, which gives me great confidence going forward,” he said. “It has also taught me that the winning scoreline is not everything. It is not simply about whether you win or lose. There will always be another match, and each match can teach you something.”
He expressed immense gratitude for his support system, including his mother, father, mother’s partner, maternal grandmother, coach Jayson Cerovich for technical coaching and continuous moral support, and coach Wayne Kets for instilling a love of the game in him.
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