Kia ora,

Ko Derick Bernstein toku ingoa. Tennis is the ultimate sport for me, and I would never trade it for anything! We lived and breathed tennis while growing up, from dawn till dusk and since the age of 12, I’ve been immersed in competitive tennis, proudly representing my club, Forest Hill, under SACOS. I’ve been fortunate to explore numerous corners of my native South Africa and even compete on the courts in Sydney, Australia.

I achieved a ranking of 14 in South Africa during this time and my journey includes playing in a televised final sponsored by Formica and clinching victory in the last-ever Putco Sponsored Tournament. I was also a runner-up in the prestigious Far North Tennis Tournament and celebrated as a doubles champion. Over more than a decade, I proudly represented my province in interprovincial competitions, and through tennis, I’ve been fortunate to seize countless opportunities.

I take pride in being a father to three tamariki. All my children share my passion for tennis, and together with my wife, who played for South Africa’s development team, we are committed to nurturing their talents and guiding them towards greater achievements in the sport. I take great pride in coaching, using my experiences to shape future generations of tennis champions. It’s a privilege and a joy to nurture young talent and pass on what I’ve learned.