It is double delight for Masters tennis in East London as former resident Archie Rudman and current resident Claude Moonieyan both occupy the top two spots in the over-60 age category tennis rankings in South Africa.
“It is a very special moment for us and a proud moment for tennis in East London for us to be at the top of these rankings,” said Moonieyan.
Rudman, formerly of Alpha Tennis Club in East London and Moonieyan of Omega Tennis Club, reached the upper echelons of the rankings after impressive performances earlier this year.
Rudman claimed the coveted SA title at the nationals beating former number one Marius Genis in a three-set battle in Bloemfontein, while Moonieyan moved back up to a career best second in the country after winning the Eastern Cape title in June. He beat Louie van der Merve in straight sets.
Rudman represented Border senior tennis for many years while playing at the Alpha Tennis Club in the late 1980s and later Gonubie Tennis Club.
“A high point in his club tennis was when Alpha won the men's league against the more fancied clubs,” noted Moonieyan.
Other than winning the national singles and doubles this year in Bloemfontein, Rudman has also added the singles titles of South Western Districts, Western Province, Cape Town and Boland.
Rudman then went on to represent SA in the world team and individual competitions in Helsinki, Finland, in July.
In the team event they beat Turkey, Ireland and Russia, narrowly losing to the US and Sweden and finishing in the top 10.
“Archie was recently in East London to take advantage of the weather and to prepare for claycourt tournaments in France during September,” explained Moonieyan.
“Archie and I are lifelong tennis friends and I am the ideal practice partner to prepare for claycourt play due to my experience at the World Championships over the past few years which were played on clay.”
Rudman is now based in Somerset West and plays his tennis for Recreation Tennis Club, which at present is the biggest tennis club in SA with more than 200 members.
For Moonieyan it has been a bit of a quieter year than the past few seasons when he represented South Africa at various world championship events.
However he has continued to enter and play in some of the biggest tournaments around the country, allowing him to maintain his place near the top of the rankings.
“I missed out on a few events including the KwaZulu-Natal Open and also the World cup in Helsinki due to financial constraints but hopefully I can go over again next year,” said Moonieyan.
The next tournament the two will be attending is the SA inter-provincial, which is coming up in the next few months and they will aim to impress.
Double delight for Masters tennis
“It is a very special moment for us and a proud moment for tennis in East London for us to be at the top of these rankings,” said Moonieyan.
Rudman, formerly of Alpha Tennis Club in East London and Moonieyan of Omega Tennis Club, reached the upper echelons of the rankings after impressive performances earlier this year.
Rudman claimed the coveted SA title at the nationals beating former number one Marius Genis in a three-set battle in Bloemfontein, while Moonieyan moved back up to a career best second in the country after winning the Eastern Cape title in June. He beat Louie van der Merve in straight sets.
Rudman represented Border senior tennis for many years while playing at the Alpha Tennis Club in the late 1980s and later Gonubie Tennis Club.
“A high point in his club tennis was when Alpha won the men's league against the more fancied clubs,” noted Moonieyan.
Other than winning the national singles and doubles this year in Bloemfontein, Rudman has also added the singles titles of South Western Districts, Western Province, Cape Town and Boland.
Rudman then went on to represent SA in the world team and individual competitions in Helsinki, Finland, in July.
In the team event they beat Turkey, Ireland and Russia, narrowly losing to the US and Sweden and finishing in the top 10.
“Archie was recently in East London to take advantage of the weather and to prepare for claycourt tournaments in France during September,” explained Moonieyan.
“Archie and I are lifelong tennis friends and I am the ideal practice partner to prepare for claycourt play due to my experience at the World Championships over the past few years which were played on clay.”
Rudman is now based in Somerset West and plays his tennis for Recreation Tennis Club, which at present is the biggest tennis club in SA with more than 200 members.
For Moonieyan it has been a bit of a quieter year than the past few seasons when he represented South Africa at various world championship events.
However he has continued to enter and play in some of the biggest tournaments around the country, allowing him to maintain his place near the top of the rankings.
“I missed out on a few events including the KwaZulu-Natal Open and also the World cup in Helsinki due to financial constraints but hopefully I can go over again next year,” said Moonieyan.
The next tournament the two will be attending is the SA inter-provincial, which is coming up in the next few months and they will aim to impress.
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