Peponi Open Tennis Tournament: A Saturday Well Spent!
24th March 2025
Saturday morning. The sun barely up, and the big question—why did I sign up for this? A weekend of sleeping in sounded way more tempting. But as soon as I reached Peponi School, saw players from different schools, and started my warm-up with our tennis club coach, my perspective changed. The moment I held my racket, served, and returned the balls, my adrenaline kicked in, and I was all in.
Then reality hit—my competitors were much older, some even national-level players! Nerves? Absolutely. But spotting Ms. Kaloki with a big smile on her face and Ivaar from Year 9 was a huge relief. At least I wasn’t the only youngest one there! Despite the scorching heat that drained us completely, we held our ground, giving our opponents a tough fight.
Waiting for our next matches felt never-ending, but on the bright side, I got to meet new people, observe different playing styles, and pick up valuable techniques. Every match was a learning experience, and with sheer perseverance, I emerged third in my pool—a personal milestone I never expected in my very first open tournament!
Tennis has always been my sport, but opportunities to compete have been rare. This tournament was an eye-opener, not just for me but for our teachers as well. Exciting news—our school is now planning friendlies within the Braeburn circle to help us practice and prepare for future tournaments!
Looking back, I wouldn’t trade this Saturday for anything. It has motivated me even more to keep training and competing. Watch out, tennis world—this is just the beginning!
Dhara Shah
Year 10
