Devin Badenhorst overcomes personal tragedy to win maiden ITF title

JOHANNESBURG - Devin Badenhorst won his first professional title on Sunday after winning the men’s Curro Centre Court Series to clinch his first International Tennis Federation (ITF) trophy.

The 20-year-old defeated No 1 seed and Davis Cup teammate, Kris van Wyk 7-6, 6-4 in a final that lasted almost two hours.

Speaking to Eyewitness News following his victory, the Pretoria-born tennis player could not keep the smile off his face.

“It feels so amazing,” he said after the final that was played at Curro Hillcrest in Durban. “I’ve worked so long for this. I’ve been travelling all over the world. I’ve been to London, I’ve been to Tunisia, I’ve travelled to Egypt all these places and to get my first professional title, it’s just special that it’s here at home.”

The task was not easy for Badenhorst, who managed to keep his cool against an opponent who was never afraid to vocalise his frustration when it came to umpiring decisions.

“There was a lot going on today, a lot of distractions,” Badenhorst reflected. “People walking in the crowd, babies crying and Kris with the situation with the umpire didn’t make it easier. I just tried to stay composed, I just tried to stay in my zone. Focus on every single point to get it done with and that it what helped me today, to stay composed and get over the line.”

The triumph at Hillcrest is bittersweet as it comes weeks after personal tragedy for Badenhorst.

This follows the death of his father and sister in a car accident.

On 3 May, Louwrense Badenhorst, a vice-principal at Tuinrand Primary School, and his daughter Michelle were involved in a car crash that took both of their lives. They were on their way to the hospital after Michelle had been complaining about severe stomach pains, but never reached their destination as a driver crashed into them.

The driver of the other car was trying to escape the police chasing him and survived the accident.

“My dad was really into tennis and my sister was always there to support me,” an emotional Badenhorst reflects on his family. “So, it’s been a tough couple of weeks but I have special people and a special team around me that helps me get through it. To win my first title in my home country, I just know my dad and my sister would be so proud.”

The ability to focus on the task at hand comes from Badenhorst leaving his comfort zone of South Africa and choosing to study in America.

“Bayler [University] is a really special place for me,” he said of the Texas Christian University. “I’ve been studying there for 4/5 months and I’m going back in August. Obviously, it takes you a little bit out of your comfort zone. You have to do school, you have to do well in your tennis and keep up to date with your social life.

“But I feel like school helps me stay mentality there on court, focused and stay disciplined. I feel like that’s what Bayler has really helped me with. It’s the discipline on and off the court.”

While he is flying high now, Badenhorst already has one eye on the future and has plans in place should he not reach the highs of a top tennis professional.

He’s currently a business student and has set his sights on obtaining a master's degree.

“People don’t understand how hard it is for us tennis players and how expensive it is to travel to Europe with a coach, with a trainer, paying for all of that, with the food, with the hotel,” he said on what goes into playing on the ITF circuit.

“There is so much that goes into tennis. Not just going out there and hitting a tennis ball. Tennis is so hard. There is so many people trying to make it and there is only 150/200 players that make a living out of that and make good money.” 

He added: "To be part of that group is hard and everyone works countless hours every to make it happen. That is my backup plan, to get a degree. Something can happen, you can always get injured. But [studying] it teaches discipline, even though no one really wants to do school (laughs).”