Ermelo-born former ATP player John-Laffnie de Jager has expressed optimism about the future of South African tennis, pointing to a growing pool of young talent and an expanded local tournament calendar.
Speaking to The South African’s Dave Marshall, De Jager highlighted the importance of increased opportunities for emerging players to compete at a higher level.
Boost for local tennis
South Africa is set to host four new Challenger events this year at Irene Country Club in Pretoria.
Three of the tournaments will offer 50 ATP ranking points, while one will carry 75 points, providing valuable opportunities for local players to climb the international rankings.
“Two 50s will be at the end of May and beginning of June, then a 50 at the end of July, and a 75 in the first week of August,” De Jager explained.
“By 2027, the two smaller events become a 75 and a 100, and by 2028, we’ll have three 100s and a 125.”
The goal isn’t just to bring international tennis to South Africa, but to develop local talent.
The schedule is aligned with the return of South African college players from the United States, allowing stars like Devin Badenhorst, Kholo Montsi, and Philip Henning (currently ranked 314th) to compete at home.
“More events mean more opportunities,” De Jager said.
“Italy has proven it: if you have events, you produce players. Even a few tournaments here can grow the game.”
Advantage for South African players
High-altitude venues add another advantage for South African players, who are accustomed to the unique bounce and pace.
“The visiting players struggle because the ball flies differently,” De Jager said.
“Our juniors grew up playing in these conditions. The first day of a Davis Cup, visiting teams would just go crazy – breaking rackets and losing control.”
Currently, private academies are leading player development, while the national federation focuses on sanctioning events.
De Jager stressed the need for stronger pathways and better structures to help young talent thrive.
College tennis in the US also offers a significant boost.
Players like Badenhorst, now 21 and playing for Baylor University, can earn wild cards into Challenger main draws by finishing top 10 in NCAA Division I rankings.
“He could play 12 Challengers this year,” De Jager said.
“With four in South Africa and wild cards from college results, the opportunities are huge.”
The combination of homegrown events, college experience, and better pathways could mark a turning point for South African tennis.
The Showdown: Tennis Meets Festival
Meanwhile, South African tennis is getting a fresh, exciting twist with the creation of the Showdown, a team-based event designed to combine high-level competition with entertainment.
“The Showdown has four team owners,” John-Laffnie de Jager explained.
“Each team has four men and four women. We play three men’s singles, three women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles – nine matches in total.
“But the twist is, each match is timed. You play 20 minutes, with a one-minute strategic break where coaches can switch players. After all nine matches, the team with the most points wins.”
De Jager recalled a dramatic moment from a tournament: His team, the Axnosis Badgers, were down by 19 points after singles.
“Our men’s doubles won by 10, our women’s doubles by 9, and it came down to mixed doubles,” De Jager explained.
“We ended up winning by 8 points. It was incredible.”
Financial support
The Showdown also provides financial support for local talent.
Forty top South African players participate, each earning R10 000 for the event – a substantial sum in a country where tournaments rarely pay juniors.
“The goal is to get players paid R25 000 to R35 000 per event, plus prize money,” he said.
The event has grown in popularity, moving from the Wanderers Tennis Club to the Irene Country Club due to high demand.
“People love it. Music, food, a festival atmosphere – it’s a party with tennis,” De Jager enthused.
The model emphasises accessibility and entertainment.
“People complain events are boring,” De Jager said.
“But tennis events need to be experiences. Look at the US Open – 75% of attendees don’t play tennis. They come for the atmosphere. That’s success. We have an opportunity in South Africa to create the same excitement.”
Broader mission
Beyond the spectacle, the Showdown is part of a broader mission to grow tennis locally.
“I’ve spent my life trying to help tennis,” De Jager said.
“We started foundation camps for kids, bringing 32 top juniors with their parents and coaches, plus professional players. My rule: 150 Grand Slams among the pros at every camp, so they can share stories and inspire the next generation.”
With the Showdown and upcoming Challenger events, South African tennis is poised for a revival – combining competitive play, community engagement, and the energy of a festival.
Dave Marshall caught up with John-Laffnie de Jager at the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne, exclusively for The South African.
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