Raj aces national cap at 70
AT THE age of 70, Pujalla Govindrajaloo Naganna, pictured, recently earned his first national tennis cap – and the retired school teacher from Port Shepstone is eager to serve a few more aces on the international scene.
Naganna recently returned from the World Super Seniors Tournament in Orlando, Florida in the US, where he represented Tennis South Africa in the over-70 age group. He was seeded second in the SA team, having earned his first call-up after he won the Western Province Seniors, KwaZulu-Natal Seniors and the Boland Seniors titles earlier this year.
Known as “Raj” on the domestic circuit, Naganna is pleased with his progress since he took up tennis four years ago.
“I don’t think I did too shabbily for my age. In South Africa we don’t play on clay courts, so it was a tremendous adjustment for us.
“Only after the third or fourth day, we adjusted to the surface. On clay, once the ball comes over the net it drops dead when it lands, but my team did well. I was the only one who won a match against team New Zealand and my captain was very happy with my progress. I’d love to do more internationals, at least until I drop dead. I’ve still got a lot of tennis left in me,” laughed Naganna, who plays out of the Umtentweni Tennis Club.
Before tennis the former semi-professional footballer was an avid roadrunner. He completed 20 Comrades marathons, 12 100-milers and over 120 marathons – on an average of five to six a year – before a knee problem in 2012 forced him off the road and on to the courts.
“I’m very restless; I had to find something to do and I found tennis. Within four years I rose to the top of my club and then started playing provincially,” said Naganna, whose strength is a “vicious” forehand drive.
He puts everything into whatever he attempts. Desperate to improve his backhand, he is on court during summer from 4am. With the support of his wife Pam, the grandfather of one follows a strict diet which is largely vegetarian.
That and a love for sport are the cornerstones of his high fitness level.
“A lot of people my age are half bent and almost on their death beds, just because of a lack of exercise. So many of us only go to work, return home then sit in front of the TV.
“I always encourage youngsters to get into some kind of sport. At our running club meetings, I often tell people that our body is the greatest gift from God to lead a healthy and fruitful life.”