Meet a member: Lorna Krog, IC of South Africa

Dubbed ‘South Africa’s first lady of tennis’, Lorna Krog is considered the doyenne of South African Veterans Tennis specifically, although she has also been involved in every other section of the game, namely Juniors, Open and Wheelchair.

Over 35 years ago, Lorna was one of a group of passionate individuals who established the SA Veterans Association. Today, she can be considered as the single most influential force behind the rise of Masters tennis in South Africa. As Chairmen and committee members came and went, she remained and continued to co-ordinate all the affairs and activities, including all administration, trips and tours undertaken by the members, the selection of National teams, inter-provincial tournaments, the SA National Championships and all the other local Masters events including those on the annual calendar (12-15 per year). She was CEO of the Masters Organisation until the integration with the SA Tennis Association in 2007, this in the interests of having all tennis in the country under one umbrella body. During her tenure she was responsible for raising the sponsorship of most Masters’ National Championships, Inter-provincial tournaments and World Championships held in this country (of which she organized, co-directed and directed three).

After the Masters was integrated with the National Association, she remained employed by the Association to continue running Masters tennis in the country. However, she was also part of the Tournament Committee which staged the SA Open from 2009 to 2011 after the SA Tennis Association was awarded a three-year contract by the ATP. She was a tough but fair administrator and was (still is) immensely popular with local and international players alike.

Also In 2007, Lorna was elected to serve on the Executive of the ITF and as part of her duties, was responsible for co-ordinating various age-groups at the World Team Events which were held in Turkey, New Zealand and Austria, to name but three.

Invited to become a member of the International Club by virtue of her contribution nationally and internationally to Tennis, Lorna was also part of the IC’s organizing committee which staged the Columbus Cup at Sun City in 2000.

For 13 years, Lorna was the Match Control Manager for The Nike Junior Tour International Masters.

Match Control is a key role for the success of the tournament and her expertise in this field is world class according to the Referees with whom she has worked at these tournaments – this includes Michel Renaux, the renowned French Referee. Nike Junior events have been held in South Africa, The Bahamas, France, Spain, Italy, the USA and the Dominican Republic. 

Lorna retired in 2011, but despite her passion for her grandchildren and her rose garden, she has been brought out of retirement on numerous occasions to assist and direct events since then. She still annually runs a highly successful Ladies doubles event at Sun City and served as the Honorary President of the International Club for six years.   

Whilst Lorna’s passion has been directed largely at administration, she is also an above average player, having been a SA ranked player in her age-group nearly all her Veterans life.

Day 3 of The IC Rod Laver European 16U Junior Challenge

Hard to believe but the tennis got even more exciting and with record numbers of tied matches, third set tie breaks and mixed doubles deciders.

In group B Israel came through as the winners but only after a very close match with Slovenia who were one point off taking them to a mixed doubles decider. The other three teams all ended up tied with one win each.  So Slovenia, Austria and Spain went in to a series of mixed doubles deciders.  Spain got the draw in to their three nation play off final with Slovenia winning the semi final over Austria and then went on to win The mixed doubles with Spain.  So placing s in that group: Israel , Slovenia, Spain and Austria.

In the other group Italy won against Germany to top the group with Germany then taking fourth spot. This left Great Britain and Ireland to compete for second and third spots.  Once again it got tied at three matches each with Ireland winning the mixed doubles decider.
So play offs on Friday will be :

Italy v Israel 
Ireland v Slovenia 
Great Britain v Spain 
Germany v Austria

Another record was set with well over 100 restrings done already after so many long and closely fought matches.  In the evening the juniors enjoyed a Tennis Quiz set by our hosts Germany at the evening dinner - winners Spain this time.  It is Karaoke for the final night dinner!