It has been 148 years since Frenchman Pierre Babolat took natural gut–derived from cow intestine – to make tennis racket strings. Now, the top-ranked male tennis player at the North-West University (NWU) is using his Babolet Pure Drive racket to run opponents ragged on courts across the country.  

In fact, 20-year-old Johann Coetzee, who studies Business Management at the NWU, has four of these weapons at his disposal to launch his preferred assaults: “My favourite shots are my serve and my forehand,” he explains with glee.

Johann’s most recent accomplishments include winning a bronze medal at the Growthpoint Top Guns tournament and numerous other podium finishes at Tennis South Africa tournaments.

Born in Pretoria, Johann matriculated from Garsfontein High School before continuing his education – in the classroom and on the tennis court – at the NWU’s Potchefstroom Campus.

“My love for the game comes from my father (Nico), and I have been playing the game since I can remember. I have always enjoyed it and I have not played any other sport,” says Johann.

“There is a big mental aspect to the sport and the amount of pressure you have to be able to absorb can be strenuous, but that is what I like.”

For that reason, he looks up to players such as Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, as they are unrivalled in their ability to handle pressure situations.

Coached by Frans Cronje from a young age, Johann is now under the tutelage of the NWU’s tennis coach, Riaan Venter.

“Riaan has so much experience and he cares about you as a person.”

Johann’s success has seen him compete in countries such as the USA, Rwanda and Botswana, but it does not come without sacrifices.  

“It is a lot of hard work and I train for about two hours every day. Although you sometimes get tired of all the practice, playing games never ceases to be exciting.” 

When not playing tennis he can be found reading George RR Martin’s epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire, in which, coincidentally, the character Stannis Baratheon says: “Sacrifice is never easy or it is no true sacrifice.” If there is one person who knows this, it is Johann Coetzee.