Feneon family dominate Rapaura doubles

A last-minute decision to travel north and play in the annual Rapaura New Year Doubles tennis tournament paid off handsomely for the Feneon family from Christchurch.

Remi, a professional tennis coach, his wife Joelene and their daughter Jade claimed a share in all three titles at stake over the three-day event which concluded today at the historic grass court venue.

Remi teamed with Nelson youngster Harry Pugh, a Garin College year 13 student, to take out the men’s doubles, Joelene and Jade combined superbly to win the women’s title while Jade and Harry joined forces to pick up the mixed doubles title on the first day.

It was a second consecutive women’s crown for Joelene and Jade, while Remi picked up his third consecutive men’s crown and fourth overall.

But it so nearly didn’t happen. Just a couple of days before entries closed the Feneon family were unable to find suitable accommodation and had decided to stay at home.

However, a text from Harry, whose partner had dropped out, asking if Remi was available to play sparked a second search for accommodation, which this time proved successful and the family car was packed for another trip north.

In the men’s final Remi and Harry came up against local player Hamish Morrow and Christchurch-based Gareth Robb, Remi’s partner from the previous year’s success.

Although they prevailed in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, the victors did not have things all their own way. Hamish’s potent serve, plus Gareth’s silky volleying skills ensured they remained in the game throughout, just a single break of serve in each set allowing Remi and Harry to get the job done.

Remi showed he is not just a big server, producing plenty of powerful drives and crisp volleys while Harry chased down everything, coming up with some delightful winners, including a couple of delicate topspin lobs.

Despite their age difference, the pair relished the chance to play together.

“This is one of my favourite tournaments,” said Harry. “I love the grass, there is a lot of volleying which is good for my game.”

He was also grateful for the free “coaching” he received during the event from his partner. “In between points … he would tell me, ‘more spin, a different serve’, it was pretty awesome, a great opportunity, and I think we played well together.”

Remi relished playing with Harry because, “he is one of those juniors that really enjoys the game”.

“He is always positive on the court which keeps me going.

“When I play with someone my age, we have our ups and downs and if we have our downs at the same time it is a problem but Harry is always up, and he doesn’t get tired, like I do.”

In the semifinals, Remi and Harry beat Andrew Forgesson and Josh Gwynne by default 6-1, 1-0, Josh injuring his shoulder at the start of the second set and having to pull out, while Gareth and Hamish prevailed in an enthralling battle with former champions Glenn and Dene Wilson, brothers originally from Rai Valley.

Glenn, a former Davis Cup player and captain, is now based in Christchurch while Dene, who played and coached in Marlborough, hails from Auckland.

They lost the first set 3-6 but roared back to win the second by the same score and level the match. However, they stuttered in the third set with Hamish and Gareth lifting their game to prevail 6-3 and book their final berth.

In the women’s final, Joelene and Jade came up against the local duo of Donna Clark and Ella Sowman and made no race of it, coming out comfortable 6-1, 6-1 winners, their all-court game proving too hot to handle.

Jade described the tournament as “lots of fun”.

“I always enjoy it and the weather was kind this year. I really enjoy playing with Mum. I tend to cover the net and she covers the back court.

“Sometimes we don’t talk about tennis on court and she kind of calms me down a bit.”

“I have a role,” added Joelene with a chuckle.

Joelene and Jade rolled into the final with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over multiple champion Jane Anderson-Bay and Bailee Wilson, while Donna and Ella won through to the decider with a battling 6-4, 7-5 triumph over former national rep Ruth Seeman and Nelson-based tennis coach Renny Spruijtenburg.

In Saturday’s mixed doubles, youth stole the show.

In a classic inter-generational battle, students Jade and Harry took on Joelene and Remi in the competition decider, the younger duo prevailing 6-3, 6-3.

It was a second consecutive Rapaura mixed doubles title for Jade, who won last year alongside Liam Adams.

The final was a high-quality affair, with the silky net skills of Harry, a nationally-ranked junior, balancing out Remi’s big-serving power game. Both Jade and Joelene underlined their well-honed skills during some extended rallies.

The mixed event attracted a maximum draw of 32 combinations, making for a long day.

In the semifinals, Remi and Jolene beat Liam and Suz Adams 9-2, while Jade and Harry accounted for father-and-daughter combination Glenn and Bailee Wilson 9-2.

Doubles results:

Final

Men: Remi Feneon and Harry Pugh beat Gareth Robb and Hamish Morrow 6-4, 6-4.

Semifinals

Remi Feneon and Harry Pugh beat Josh Gwynne and Andrew Forgesson 6-1, 1-0 (default); Gareth Robb and Hamish Morrow beat Glenn and Dene Wilson 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Final

Women: Joelene Feneon and Jade Feneon beat Ella Sowman and Donna Clark 6-1, 6-1.

Semifinals

Joelene Feneon and Jade Feneon beat Jane Anderson Bay and Bailee Wilson 6-0, 6-1; Ella Sowman and Donna Clark beat Ruth Seeman and Renny Spruijtenburg 6-4, 7-5.

Final

Mixed: Jade Feneon and Harry Pugh beat Joelene Feneon and Remi Feneon 6-3, 6-3.