Ronel Louw and Wessel Kemp have emerged as victors of the 2010 KIA Amateur Australian Open National finals which were played at the University of Pretoria from the 26 – 28 November, 2010. Ronel and Wessel will now represent South Africa at the World Finals to be held in Melbourne, Australia, in January 2011.  Ronel is a previous winner of the event having competed in Australia in 2003.

After two days of qualifiers Louw and Kemp reached the finals with the women’s final taking place first.  Louw (47) took on a younger Lisa Van Der Riet (33).  Both players know each other exceptionally well:  “We are great friends and play a practise match against each other every Thursday,” said Louw.  “I did not think I would beat her, but it was my day and I feel so privileged to be going to Australia in January – again!” 

It was then up to the men to clinch the deal.  “I had beaten Lisa, but it was now up to Wessel to win so that we were indeed the couple to be going to Australia.  I was very nervous for him as it was a case of the two older ladies competing and the two young coaches.  Wessel Kemp, who was my partner and is my coach and Dawie Eybers, who is Lisa’s coach and partner” said Louw. 

The men were 6 games all with Kemp needing one more point to win the set, but the situation was too much for the youngster and he hit the ball into the net to give his opponent another chance.  But Eybers did not make the most of the advantage he was presented with and Kemp did not make the same mistake twice.

Having won both the Men’s and Women’s sets the game did not have to go into mixed doubles and Louw and Kemp are on their way to Australia.

“I compete in the Kia Amateur Australian Open even every year.  I won in 2003 and since then have managed to reach the semifinals once and was even beaten in the Final a couple of years later.  I can’t wait to play in the Kia world finals and then stay on to see the top players competing in the Kia Australian Open.  My favourite player is Roger Federer and I would like to see him in action again,” said an excited Louw.

The couple will be competing against 14 other countries in the Kia Amateur Open Tennis world finals including:  Germany, France, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Libya, Jordan, Nigeria, Chile, USA, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, China. All players will then experience a 4-day hospitality package including watching the Australian Open.

In addition to the Kia Amateur Australian Open tournament, Kia Motors is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open – one of four Grand Slam tournaments.

“This sponsorship allows Kia the opportunity to reach many of our target market.  Whereas the players were all from Gauteng this year, next year we are looking to branch out to most of the other provinces,” said Vinola Pillay, Marketing Manager, Kia Motors.

Kemp and Louw beat Dawie Eybers and Lisa van der Riet  2 - 0 in the final.

Wessel Kemp in action in the final of the KIA Amateur Australian Open played at the University of Pretoria today (Sunday 29 November 2010).  Kemp and his partner Ronel Louw beat Dawie Eybers and Lisa van der Riet  2 - 0.

Ronel Louw in action in the final of the KIA Amateur Australian Open played at the University of Pretoria today (Sunday 29 November 2010).  Louw and her partner Wessel Kemp beat Dawie Eybers and Lisa van der Riet  2 - 0.

Wessel Kemp and Ronel Louw with the trophy after winning the KIA Amateur Australian Open played at the University of Pretoria.  

QUARTER FINAL RESULTS ON SECOND DAY OF THE KIA AMATEUR AUSTRALIAN OPEN QUALIFIER

The quarter final results are in and the winners to be announced on Sunday, 28th November, will each receive an expense paid trip for two to attend the 2011 Australian Open and represent South Africa in the 2011 KIA Amateur Australian Open World Final.

Name			Name		Tie Score	Match Scores (mixed doubles / ladies singles)
Wessel Kemp	Ronel Louw	defeat	Nico Viviers	Debbie  van Aswegan	2/0	6/3 6/2
Roland Grabe	Nicole Smith	defeat	Bradley Dores	Deborah Janssen	2/0	6/1 6/0
Dawie Eybers	Lisa van der  Riet	defeat	Uys Jordaan	Lisa Wade	2/0	6/3 6/5
Wim le Roux	Jeanna Schmidt	defeat	Danie Buys	Melrise Ungerer	2/0	6/1 6/0

For full event details please contact Lisa Wade: lisa@langazela.co.za or 082 904 1805

PAST WINNER REMINISCE ON HER EXPERIENCE IN THE KIA MOTORS AMATEUR AUSTRALIAN OPEN AND ENCOURAGES ALL SOUTH AFRICANS TO ENTER THE 2010 EVENT

Gauteng – The Kia Amateur Tournament taking place at the University of Pretoria from the 26^th to the 28^th November 2010 will enable two South Africans to participate in the Kia Amateur Australian Open in Melbourne Australia in January 2011. The winner also gets the opportunity to watch the professionals in the 2011 Australian Open. One past winner, Annelie van Heever, is encouraging all amateurs to enter as she reminisces on the fun she had and how it affected her life. 

The tournament rules allow past winners to compete again, but Van Heever will not be competing in 2010 as she is an expectant working mother. 

Now 30 years of age, she started playing tennis at the age of five with a tennis racket which stood tall above her tiny figure. Annelie played national junior tournaments from under 12 and on completion of her matric year she went to Wichita State University in Kansas, USA on a tennis scholarship. This was an experience which was to pay huge dividends in future.

Van Heever played in the 2006 Kia Amateur Australian open. She and her partner Clive Wilson beat Ronel Louw and Gareth Gibson in the final to get the opportunity to go on to Australia. While neither of them did exceptionally well in Australia, they both admitted that this trip has to date undoubtedly been the highlights of their lives.

“It was an amazing experience, more exciting than I could ever have imagined,” said Van Heever who still plays League tennis for the Belgrave Tennis Club. “The hospitality was first class and I felt so privileged. While we didn’t do well in the singles events Clive and I went as far as playing in the final of the amateur mixed doubles and even had the opportunity to play in Rod Laver Arena, on the same court that the professionals were about to play their final. I was in my element watching Roger Federer play against Fernando Gonzalez in the men's final.”

The Roger Federer fan from the jacaranda city believes that South Africa has a lot of talent to be unearthed and that motor company KIA has made invaluable contributions to promote the sports amongst both amateurs and professional tennis players. 

Her advice to aspiring tennis players is: be willing to work hard. Success will not be handed to you on a plate. Make sure you make use of any and all opportunities available to you.

NATIONAL PLAYOFFS:

The national playoff will be held from Friday, 26^th November – Sunday, 28^th November at the University of Pretoria. The format is a set of mixed doubles followed by mens / ladies singles set and the winning team needs to win two of three sets.

Entry is open to any South African amateur tennis player over the age of 18 who is a member of a club affiliated to SATA. Participants may not at any stage have had a professional singles or doubles ranking appearing on the ATP or WTA ranking lists.  Any person who has competed in a previous Kia Amateur Australian Open cannot play again.  SA winners must be available to travel to the Australian Open between January 17 and 30, 2011. For full details on requirements enquiries can be directed to: Lisa Wade: lisa@langazela.co.za or 082 904 1805