My Story

I grew up on a farm outside of Ermelo in Mpumalanga, South Africa. At birth my heart stopped and doctors injected me in order to get my heart going. This damaged the main nerve in my right-leg and I lost nearly all possible movement in my right foot, leaving me in a cast till I was three years old.

The prognosis wasn’t good: doctors told my parents I will only have 10% use of my nerve, a 12% chance of walking one day and I will never be able to participate in sport. More than enough reason to let go of your dreams? Not me.

This all only motivated me to such an extent that I represented the old “Southern Transvaal” at the 1986 Primary Schools Craven Week and played Provincial Cricket from 1985-1988. I left school on my 16th birthday, finished both grade 10,11 and 12 in 6 months and started playing professional tennis the following year. 

Driven by the desire, passion and determination that only true Champions possess. I was able to demonstrate a commitment and drive to succeed and become a top 10 doubles player in the world.

My passion for developing young players was the drive behind starting JL's Tennis Academy in partnership with Denton Meintjes and Auret Jansen. As a group of coaches we have developed national champions, players who have obtained scholarships in the US and numerous players who are competing at ITF, ATP, and WTA level. 

I hope my story will inspire you, touch the right strings and encourage you and your teams on a different level and to always strive to become the best verion of you.