Sam May and Sean Van Rensburg crowned national under-14 tennis doubles champions

SAM May and Sean Van Rensburg have been crowned national doubles champions, five years after meeting on opposite sides of the net as nine-year-old tennis rivals.

THE first time Sam May and Sean Van Rensburg met was on opposite sides of the net as nine-year-old tennis rivals.

Five years on, the teenagers are national champions after winning the under-14 doubles title at Melbourne Park last month.

“We started playing against each other in under-10s and even then it was always really competitive and close between us,” May, of Colonel Light Gardens, says.

“We still play against each other now, but then we usually have to go out and play doubles together.

“To think that we are now doubles champions of Australia is pretty awesome.”

Top seeds May and Van Rensburg did not drop a set on their way to the final against Rinky Hijikata (NSW) and Tristan Schoolkate (WA).

The SA duo lost the first set 6-4, fought back to win the second set 6-4, before sealing a dramatic super tie-break 10-7.

“It was all just a blur,” Van Rensburg, of Seaford Rise, says.

“We were definitely under a bit of pressure (being top seeds) and everyone was watching us.

“We started pretty badly in the final ... but after that we just tried to concentrate on our own game and managed to get through.”

The pair, which won the SA under-14 doubles title earlier this year, first teamed up in 2010 to claim the Strathalbyn Junior Tournament.

Van Rensburg credits his parents Jean and Ania, who recently represented SA in a playoff for an Australian Open mixed doubles spot, for his development as a tennis player.

The McLaren Vale Tennis Club right-hander has a national mens ranking of 288 and says his partnership with May is blossoming.

“We win most of our doubles matches because we dominate the net,” says Van Rensburg, who will play in three ITF tournaments in New Zealand next month.

“We’ve had the odd argument out there (on court) but usually we are pretty level-headed.”

May, who also plays football for West Adelaide, finished fifth in the singles tournament to cap off a strong nationals.

While keen for more doubles success, the Year 9 Prince Alfred College student hopes to reverse his 9-10 win-loss record against Van Rensburg.

“There is still a rivalry and you always want to win,” the O’Halloran Hill Tennis Club player says.

“He’s definitely got the edge on me for now but there’s always respect between us.”