Henning goes back-to-back in Hillcrest as Wimbledon dreams fuel his climb
Image: Supplied
As Jannik Sinner was cementing his place in tennis history with a maiden Wimbledon triumph on Sunday, South African Davis Cup player Phillip Henning was quietly building his own legacy on the courts of Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal — claiming back-to-back titles in the Curro Centre Court Series.
The 24-year-old Bloemfontein-born, Stellenbosch-based player had to fight back from a set down to beat Poland's Filip Peliwo, the No 3 seed, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the ITF World Tennis Tour final. The win, coming just a week after another three-set victory over American Adhithya Ganesan at the same venue, marked Henning's fifth Curro title overall — and his second in as many Sundays.
Valeria Bhunu of Zimbabwe won one of the two Curro Centre Court Series titles on offer in Hillcrest.
Image: Supplied
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
'Filip is a tough opponent, doesn't miss many balls, makes you work hard for every point,' Henning told Independent Media Sport.
'I also played him in the semi-finals last week and that was also three sets, so it was another battle. But I'm happy I found a way.'
Rain delays on Saturday meant both the semi-finals and the final were played on the same day, adding a layer of fatigue and pressure to Henning's triumph. Yet he thrived, relying on powerful groundstrokes and adaptability in tricky, high-bounce conditions.
'The conditions are tricky — the balls are very bouncy — and I took a while to get used to it,' he said.
'This week I didn't feel at my best at times but I managed to dig deep and find that tough level. I've been playing well, serving well, so overall I'm happy with my game.'
Henning's recent success is part of a steady rise since returning to South Africa from the US in 2023, where he played college tennis for the University of Georgia. Now competing on the Futures Tour under the banner of the Coppini Tennis Academy, he's beginning to eye a breakthrough onto tennis's biggest stages.
His current ATP ranking hovered around the 400 mark before the Hillcrest tournaments. With Grand Slam qualifiers typically requiring a ranking of 240 or better, he knows there's still work to be done.
'A couple of spots that I still need to climb,' he said with a smile. 'But hopefully I'll get there one day.'
He hopes to break into the Top 300 by the end of the year, and believes the exposure to higher-level Challenger tournaments and accumulating ATP points will continue to open doors.
'Just playing on the tour and getting into those Challenger events has opened my eyes and made me see that it is possible,' said Henning. 'It just requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice — but I'm here for it.'
In the women's final, top seed Stephanie Judith Vischer of the Netherlands also mounted a comeback, defeating Russia's Kira Pavlova 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Zimbabwe's Valeria Bhunu had won the previous event.
For Henning, though, the focus is on the next step — and perhaps, in time, joining compatriot Lloyd Harris on the main stage of world tennis.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
F1 return to Africa: Kyalami nears green light as key meeting looms
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has vowed to bring Formula 1 back to South Africa, revealing in Parliament that a crucial meeting with F1 leadership will take place within two weeks. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has told Parliament that a critical meeting regarding the fate of Formula One on the African continent is set to take place within the fortnight. McKenzie was presenting his department's R6.3 billion budget before Parliament when he made the remarks. During his presentation, the Minister noted that Kyalami had received FIA approval to begin upgrades aimed at achieving Grade 1 status in line with Formula 1 specifications. Last month, Kyalami Circuit in Johannesburg was given the green light by the FIA to upgrade the racetrack, which is currently classified as Grade 2. The proposed upgrades focus on enhancing the run-off areas, barrier systems, debris fencing, kerbs, and drainage systems. Toby Venter, owner of Kyalami and driving force behind the project, is privately funding the multi-million Rand improvements. However, the FIA has yet to give either South Africa or Rwanda the official nod to host the 2027 Grand Prix — raising the possibility that Venter's investment could be in vain. Still, both McKenzie and Venter appear undeterred in their ambition to return F1 to the continent. Kyalami is only one of two circuits in Africa to have hosted a F1 race, with its most recent GP taking place in 1993. That race was graced by none other than Ayrton Senna, who drove his iconic V12 McLaren on the Johannesburg track. He finished second that year behind another legend Alain Prost of France. More than three decades on, McKenzie believes the time is right for South Africa to return to the F1 calendar. 'Many people laughed when I uttered the words, 'Formula 1 must come back to South Africa'. One man who didn't laugh was Toby Venter, the owner of Kyalami racetrack,' McKenzie told Parliament. 'When I told him that the government doesn't have the money to host Formula 1 — because of other, more urgent priorities — and that we would not be able to help him pay for the track to reach F1 standards, he looked me in the eye and said he would see it as his patriotic duty to do just that. 'We have had multiple meetings with the management of F1, with a crucial one happening in the next two weeks.' McKenzie also hinted at corporate support from companies such as MTN and Heineken, but it remains unclear whether the upcoming meeting he referred to is the one in which the FIA will decide which African country secures the 2027 race. Despite scepticism in some quarters, the minister insisted there was immense value in hosting a South African GP again. He argued that without a stop in sub-Saharan Africa, the F1 world championship could not truly claim to be global. To ensure the upgrades meet the highest international standards, Venter has enlisted UK-based Apex Circuit Design. Its founder, Clive Bowen, said Kyalami only needed a 'light touch-up' to reach world-class motorsport specifications.
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
SA and NZ set to write another chapter in special rugby rivalry
The Junior Boks and Junior All Blacks meet in a blockbuster World Rugby U20 Championship final in Italy on Saturday night. The Junior Boks during their World Rugby U20 Championship semifinal win over Argentina in Italy on Monday night. Picture: Emmanuele Ciancaglini/The rugby rivalry between South Africa and New Zealand will enter another chapter on Saturday when the Junior Springboks face the Junior All Blacks in the final of the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship in Rovigo, Italy. The Junior Boks qualified for their first final appearance since 2014 when they defeated Argentina Monday evening in Viadana, while New Zealand beat France in their semi-final played earlier in the day at the same venue. Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote spoke of the significance of the occasion set to happen on Saturday, highlighting the rivalry and rugby culture shared by both nations. 'Every child in South Africa and every child in New Zealand who has ever picked up a rugby ball dreams of this occasion. It's a special moment, and they (NZ) are a special side. A final between these two teams is fantastic for the game of rugby,' said Foote. Junior Bok captain Riley Norton echoed his coach's sentiments, calling the final the 'ultimate test' for the South African U20 side. No extra motivation 'You don't need any extra motivation for a final like this. As coach Kevin said, you dream of a match like this. Facing the haka on Saturday, the history and tradition of rugby between SA and NZ is just unbelievable,' explained Norton. 'We love playing each other and have great respect for one another. It's going to be an 80-minute battle. We're extremely excited for Saturday, and I know the guys are up for it and very keen.' While the SA U20s are excited for the final, Foote emphasised that the Junior Boks remain focused on growth and continuous improvement: 'We'll keep improving, and the thing is that we've played some awesome rugby in this tournament. I couldn't be prouder of this group. 'I told them in the changeroom (after the Argentina victory) how proud I am, to be on this journey with them is very special. They are absolute warriors and remain humble.' The Junior Boks enjoyed a non-training on Tuesday to recover from their energy-sapping semi-final against Argentina and will resume preparations on Wednesday at their base in Valpolicella outside Verona. The matchday squad to face New Zealand will be announced on Thursday afternoon. Saturday's final marks the first time the two sides meet in a World Rugby U20 Championship final since South Africa's memorable victory over New Zealand in the 2012 sold-out final at Newlands in Cape Town.
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Potgieter in blockbuster group at Royal Portrush: All the Open tee times
There are 11 South African golfers in the field, with the tournament starting Thursday. Former champion Louis Oosthuizen plays a practice round with Aldrich Potgieter ahead of the start of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland on Thursday. Picture:Of the 11 South Africans in the field at this week's 153rd Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, former champion Louis Oosthuizen will be first off the tee at 7.46am Thursday morning. The Open champion at St Andrews in 2010, who now plays his golf on the LIV Tour, will play alongside Guido Migliozzi and KJ Choi for the first two rounds. Oosthuizen has enjoyed playing the Open over the years and also boasts a tied second (2015) and tied third (2021) in 17 appearances. He will hope for another good week on the links course. Following Oosthuizen off the tee will be Daniel van Tonder, at 8.19am, alongside Phil Mickelson and Ryan Peake, and then it will be Justin Walters at 10.14am, in a group with Takumi Kanaya and fellow South African amateur, 18-year-old Bryan Newman. Newman will be chasing the silver medal, awarded to the best amateur over the tournament, after he qualified to play this week by winning the Africa Amateur Championship at Leopard Creek in February as a 17-year-old. SA Open champion Naidoo At 10.47am new hot-shot and recent first-time winner on the PGA Tour, Aldrich Potgieter, will be off with American powerhouses Sam Burns and Brooks Koepka, who has won five Majors but is seeking a first Claret Jug. At 11.53am, SA Open champion Dylan Naidoo, who won in a playoff in Durban in early March, will make his Open debut alongside veteran South African Darren Fichardt, with John Axelsen the other member of their group. Another South African playing LIV Golf, Dean Burmester, will play alongside Davis Thompson of the US and Rikuya Hoshino of Japan from 1.42pm, while Shaun Norris will play in a group featuring Matt McCarty of the US and Spain's Angel Hidalgo at 2.15pm. Christiaan Bezuidenhout, now a regular on the PGA Tour in the US, will play alongside Rasmus Hojgaard and Romain Langasque, while Thriston Lawrence, who led the Open at one stage last year and eventually finished fourth, will be off at 3.04pm alongside former champion Justin Leonard and Antoine Rozner. The defending champion this week is American Xander Schauffele. The last time the Open was held at Royal Portrush, in 2019, Ireland's Shane Lowry won the Claret Jug. The last South African winner was Ernie Els, in 2012, at Royal Lytham and St Annes, but he is not playing this year. For all the tee times Thursday click here. All the tee times in this story are SA times.
