Interview: Channel Simmonds

When conversing with Chanel over the past couple of days, the same thoughts crop up in my head every single time. Thoughts like dedicated.Professional.Driven.Humble.

"I don't feel pressure being number 1 in the county. I do strive to inspire young kids and set out a good example when it comes to hard work and dedication to the sport." She admits A glass-half-full type, she is trying to see the positives of lockdown "Luckily I have 4kg weights that I can use for some workouts. I also have a spinning bike and skipping rope to help keep up my cardio. Since we can jog between 6 am and 9 am, I have been running at least 5km every day.

Chanel's mother, who represented Gauteng East in provincial tournaments, introduced her young daughter to the sport. With guidance from her coach starting at 6 years old, she started playing local competitions when Chanel was 10 years old. The rise through the ranks was, in typical form, rapid.

"I had reached number one in South Africa under 16s before deciding to start home-schooling to train more hours and start traveling overseas for some Junior international tournaments. That was a good decision as I ended 14th in the world at the end of my junior career."

When I was 18 I had many offers for scholarships to the USA. I wanted to play professional so I went with that decision and it paid off."

Chanel, who likens her style to Angelique Kerber, see similarities to their game style as they're both left-handed and can relate to her tactics and the way she plays the game. She proceeds to open up on the physical transitions from playing on different surfaces and the trials and tribulations of traveling and being away from home for large parts of the year.

"I do enjoy traveling. I am exposed to higher level players in other countries. I've had to learn and adapt to other playing surfaces that have added to my game and experience. On the other hand, it does get lonely being away from home for many weeks at a time. South Africa is also very far from countries that host tournaments so its always a long and expensive journey.

As I'm away from home so much, I embrace when there are professional tournaments hosted locally such as The SA Spring Open which was held in Septemeber 2019. It's not often that my family and friends get to watch me play, so that makes it extra special" She says

For the moment Chanel's pursuit to add to her 23 titles on the ITF circuit is on hold, with enthusiasm briefly expands on the support she has received from Tennis South Africa and the development of the sport in our country

"Tennis isn't a big sport in South Africa therefore we don't have much funding coming in from the government. I do feel a tremendous amount of support from the TSA. They have been helping me financially and are in contact with me during tournaments. TSA has been improving tennis locally with more junior events and coaching workshops.

If South Africa could host more professional events then this would allow local players to get those vital first points towards a ranking on the ATP and WTA. Tournaments like these will also bring foreign players to the country which will give our players some exposure to high-level players with different game styles." It has been 6 years since her last Grand Slam, But with Chanel you'll find a mild-mannered and polite person, from whom there's is humility and appreciation. Those characteristics combined with a burning desire to better herself left her with the perfect platform to achieve her goals

"My current ranking is 330. I need to be around 200 to be able to play in the qualifying events of the grand slams. I need good results in 3 or 4 tournaments and my ranking will be good enough to enter those events. My goal before the pandemic was to reach 200 by the time the US Open was scheduled (end of August)."

Hopefully, I can start competing soon and possible play in the Australian Open 2021" Chanel says of her goals

As she has now returned to her hometown as still one of the most exciting tennis players in South Africa, it is tempting to say things have not come in full circle yet. At the age of just 27, the Chanel Simmonds story has more than a few chapters left in it.

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