By Aniqa Norhazry (25S03D) and Syaura Nashwa (24S03R)
Photographs courtesy of Raffles Photographic Society
“It feels incredible being able to finally win NSG after 6 long years of trying, it’s a great way to cap off my tennis journey in Raffles.”
– Kaleb Khoo (24S03G), Captain of A Div’ Tennis Boys’ Team
The battle began at dawn. On 9 May 2024, the boys were hard at work, practising at the courts that will soon hold their final match against ACSI. Spectators need not be proficient in Tennis to know that the stakes are high–it’s been nine years since RI’s Tennis Boys team last clinched the Gold.
The team rotates in practising for both the singles and doubles events.
New Courts, New Gameplay
As we sat courtside, we could feel our pulses palpitating. The pressure of the competition hung in the air. It’s been nine long years since we last savoured Gold. We were uncertain if this year the tides would change.
Image from Straits Times Photo: Mark Cheong
This is the first National School Games’ final that’s taking place in the newly-built Kallang Tennis Hub. It’s clean, air-conditioned, and quite the grand sight.
Tennis Boys’ Captain Kaleb Khoo explained that “the floor was rougher and slower”.“Hence, we’d have to try to gauge courts’ impact on the game. The ball will be slower, the spin will bounce higher. So, players who hit harder and flatter would have to adjust their play”.
The boys had accounted for the new courts. On 4th May, they trained at Kallang Hub to adjust to the different court conditions. The morning after the semi-finals on 1st May, they trained from 5 am to 8 am at Methodist Girls’ School to get used to playing early.
These preparations were evident in the boys’ plays. With precise form, they powered through the morning, each strike stronger than the last. Their frown lines were prominent in the shine of the floodlights. Yet, the cheers echoing from the stands and affirmations from the coach spurred them on.
The Painful Journey
“Important” to describe this match is a gross understatement, especially for this batch of Tennis Boys. Before this match, the boys had faced a trail of heartbreaks. Last year, they had a 3-2 loss to ACSI. The same team that played for B Division in secondary school had also lost to ACSI 3-2. (In fact, Kaleb noted down this loss by his bed to remind himself of the loss).
Last year’s loss at Yio Chu Kang Tennis Centre
Knowing that they’ve lost before to familiar faces has posed a psychological barrier to the team. It’s not merely about attaining the championship, but also about avenging their seniors and younger selves.
A week before the match, Kaleb says “Winning NSGs would be like a fairytale ending to not only JC-level Tennis, but our whole Tennis journeys. Winning with friends who we grew up with and friends who you’ve seen mature will be quite a special experience”.
And that’s what happened. They won, hand in hand with those they’ve seen since the U10 league, and with those who faced losses together.
Kaleb playing in the U10 League
Shaky Start, Strong Finish
This wasn’t the first match David Yong and Charles Yong have played against each other.
“He was always a very tough opponent to play against as he was always able to put the ball back, and so I had lost to him a few times before. Thus, I was mentally prepared to play a long match and to fight it out.”
In the first set, David went for a more aggressive approach, but it played right into Charles’ strengths, resulting in a flurry of errors on David’s end. Taking a cue from Coach, he switched gears in the second set, opting for slower rallies and prioritising consistency over trying to outmatch my opponent.
Victory in Sync: First Win
“Being one of the first matches to conclude, we hoped that our victory would be able to provide our teammates with some confidence”
– Brandon Lim Jit Ern (25S03G) and Yeo Zhen Xuan Evan (25S06E)
Having played doubles together since 2022, Brandon and Evan have forged a formidable partnership, capitalising on their deep understanding and seamless coordination to anticipate each other’s every move.
At the match’s outset, they aimed for the baseline player to maintain a steady return while the net player sought chances to poach. But noticing their weak net play and numerous errors, they swiftly shifted gears, opting for a more aggressive approach with both players advancing to the net for volleys.
“Being one of the first matches to conclude, we hoped that our victory would be able to provide our teammates with some confidence, spurring on the rest of our teammates on to victory.”
“Took One for the Team”—Defeat Fuels Determination
Facing a left-handed opponent proved tricky. Not only that, the spin was moving in the opposite direction.
Compounded by a nagging wrist injury on his left side, Ishan Sinha (24S03H) was forced to adapt to more inside-out shots with his forehand, further complicating matters. As the match progressed, familiarity with the leftie style grew, enabling strategic adjustments to push the opponent back and secure crucial points, especially in the second set.
Heading into the finals, the boys’ tactic centred on securing three solid singles matches to clinch the victory. “It was by luck that I got to play against Chua Min Jie, but I learnt a lot from it. However, I feel I could have adapted better and played more [aggressively].”
“Looking at David and [Brandon and Evan] motivated me to push on and put up a strong fight as they were doing incredibly well.”
– Ishan
Under Pressure: Last-Minute Triumph in the Final Showdown”
For the last doubles match, it was John Chan’s (25S06A) first time playing in the final. The atmosphere was tense, especially since ACSI had double the match support of RI’s.
“I tried my best to zone in and focus only on what was happening in front of me so I blocked out the ACSI students’ cheers,” said Tng Shih Chun (24S03O).
What kept them going? For Shih Chun, it was his last NSG and would have his best chance of winning in several years. John went into the match with the firm belief they would win, “especially because [he] was allowed to play in the final for [his] team.”
John felt that the cheering of his fellow Rafflesians who came down to support them helped to overcome his nerves and contributed significantly to winning.
“It was almost like we had a third player with us on the court.”
Despite the fact that at this point–RI had already secured the championship, the pressure was still quite intense.
“John and I had played a few matches together before, including during the semi-finals. I personally feel our game styles go well together as John’s big serve sets me up for a poach to finish, and my (usually) consistent groundstrokes are matched by John’s touch and power at the net. Overall it was not only a good but also really fun pairing.”
– Shih Chun
Captain’s Clutch: Leading by Example in the Decisive Victory
Kaleb knew that he had the chance to secure his team’s championship. With that in mind, he remained calm and had faith in his efforts leading up to the finals.
“After building a sizeable lead, I tried to not think about the scoreline and continued to play my game, focusing on remaining in the present”, he explained.
Kaleb noted that everyone had a part to play in sustaining the team’s morale. Though, Kaleb is the point of contact between the coach and the team to ensure all trainings run smoothly,
Guiding the Team to Triumph, a Year at a Time
“Coach Weber has been the best coach we could have hoped for, coaching most of the team since we were in Secondary 1.”
The boys were in awe of his teaching style, “he knew when to be strict with us but also bonded with every one of us on a personal level”.
Coach Weber was clearly a vital instrument of support to the boys.
“We could also see how much he sacrificed for us during NSG, waking up early to train us from 5-8 am outside of school is a [notable] example. When your coach is that invested in the team, we think it really boosted the team’s morale and overall drive to win too.”
– RI A’Div Tennis Boys
Conclusion
As the morning of fierce battles draws to a close, so begins the celebration of a well-earned victory. For 9 years, the boys have been within reach of Gold, but falling short in the final stages. Years of grit, dedication and tenacity have ultimately sealed their triumph. Truly, victory is sweetest when you have known defeat.
I’m really so proud of the team for working so hard since the beginning of this year, hopefully they cherish this win as much as I am. And to win NSG with such a great group of brothers makes it all the more special to us.”
– Kaleb Khoo
Watch the girls’ and boys’ captains play our Trivia game:
