Having recently won 5 ITF titles in 5 weeks, we decided it was time to catch up with Siphos Montsi to get to know a little bit more about him.

Siphos, you recently won 5 ITF titles in 5 weeks. That's an impressive set of results. How does it feel to achieve something like that?

It feels really great and I’m really happy and also proud of myself for working hard to get this far.

How did you get involved in playing tennis?

I started playing the game when I was 10 years old at my previous school Selborne Primary School through a tennis program and that’s where it all started.

Do you have any pre-match rituals or traditions?

Yeah I do. I always tie the shoe lace on my left shoe first, I also listen to music mostly 20 minutes before while stretching and my last pre-match ritual is praying on the court before I play first point of the match. 

If you could play any other sport, what would it be and why?

It’s definitely soccer. Soccer was the first sport I got into and I’m also quite good at it.

Who is your favourite professional athlete and why?

Novak Djokovic. I like his attitude on the court and I also like the way he plays because he’s such a well-rounded player. 

What has been the best (most memorable) match you've ever played, and why?

The final at the Wanderers ITF. Because it was my first ITF title and it was also memorable because throughout the tournament most people weren’t giving me a chance to win it and I proved them wrong.

If you could choose anyone, from any time period to play against, who would you choose and why?

Novak Djokovic. It’s always been a dream of mine to play the person that inspires me to play this sport and hopefully that dream will one day come true. 

What is one piece of advice you'd give a young player who wants to take tennis competition seriously?

Talent alone won’t get you very far and so you really have to work hard to get to the higher level and set yourself goals. 

What is one thing you can’t live without?

It would definitely be my family and my friends.

How do you balance tennis with all of your other responsibilities?

It’s really hard to balance tennis with the other responsibilities I have but discipline and time management are some of the things that tennis teaches you and I’m used to it now. 

Do you have any digital media accounts where people can follow you?

Yeah, I’m on Instagram: @siphs_montsi and I’m also on Facebook as Siphos Montsi

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