On a beautiful summers day (which has been rare in Melbourne of late), 4 out of Maccabi 6 teams won.

Please note that there is a break till February 4th 2025. However there will be hits at the club before then. There is a scheduled hit on Saturday December 21st from 11am-4pm so feel free to come for a hit at any time during that window.

Tennis Victoria BRTA

Section 3 Maccabi 4-5-57 defeated Beaumaris 2-4-56

Jordan Jaffe 8-7
Jess Flicker 8-7
Aaron Kramer 8-7
Steven Kleytman 8-4
Jordan Jaffe/ Jess Flicker 7-5 4-6 6-7
Aaron Kramer/ Steven Kleytman 6-7 2-6

In the singles, it was probably the tightest affair I’ve ever experienced as a captain, but a 3 hour period that just went all our way. Jordan played an opponent he has had countless battles against and probably has a H2H record of 3-3 against, after going down 4-1, Jordan regrouped and slowly fought his way back into the match, resulting in a 8-7 win. Jess in his first proper match in over 6 weeks was up against a young talented kid, although he was a bit rusty, Jess’s power and natural ability also led him to a 8-7 win. Aaron also had a similar experience, although he had a scare after being 6-3 up and then going down 7-6, his ability to never give up and win the long points also led him to a 8-7 win. Whilst, Steve broke the pattern and controlled the match from the get go, winning 8-3.

Although we had won the day, in the doubles, Jordan and Jess started off slow but got into their rhythm to win the first set, from there Jordan and Jess both struggled to finish off the point and didn’t take their chances, leading to a loss in a 3rd set super. While Aaron and Steve had a tight battle in the first set but just went down, and the momentum carried through, resulting in a straight sets loss.

- Jordan Jaffe

Section 4 Maccabi 2-3-35 defeated by BLTC 4-5-45

Rob Minc 4-8
Joel Rabinov 1-8
Steve Bendel 2-8
Lachie Zuker 8-4
Joel Rabinov/ Lachie Zuker 5-7 3-6
Rob Minc/ Steve Bendel 6-2 6-2

At home against BLTC we played doubles first.

Joel and Lachie were always trailing in the opening set. Down a break at 1-3, they broke back and then held serve for 3all. Unfortunately got broken at the end of the set for 5-7. In the 2nd set they got the early break, however couldn't hold serve from there. Opponents lifted their game (including an amazing rally for them to get the break for 3-1 with opponent hitting a backhand winner cross court after a good 25 shot rally) with the opposition winning 3-6.

Rob and Steve Bendel (who kindly filled in) played doubles together for the first time, and did well for a 6-2 6-2 win against kids who are still at school!

Rob found it tough, going down 4-8.

Steve funnily enough played against a fill in from his own section (the section 6 boys were on the back courts)! The  opponent much more suited to singles, hit through Steve for a 2-8 loss.

Joel was in the match but kept hitting regulation shots out for 1-8.

Lachie raced out to a 5-0 lead, before the opponent stepped up and got into the match. Lachie had 7-2, 0-40 and unfortunately didn't close it. Eventually on his 6th match point, he closed it for a 8-4 win.

Overall: Another performance where we have been in it, but just coming up short. Lachie and I had chances in the doubles, but just kept losing the 50:50 points and games (reckon most of my service games that we lost, we were at 30all or deuce). Though credit to Lachie for fighting it out in the singles, given how unwell he was (he threw up after the doubles). As for me, finding it different stepping up a few sections, but have been more than competitive in most of the doubles. Just need to find the game for singles (it's there and waiting, just need to unlock it) as I adjust to having a different weight of ball being hit against me.

- Joel Rabinov

Section 5 Maccabi 6-8-56 defeated Tennis World 0-0-16

Warren Steinberg 8-0
Gilad Nagar 8-2
Ian Altman 8-5
Nathan Rapoport 8-5
Warren Steinberg/ Dean Steinberg 6-1 6-1
Ian Altman/ Nathan Rapoport 6-1 6-1

A one sided affair against the bottom side where most of the anxiety occurred off the court.

With only 2 and half players available (Gilad playing singles only) and Geoff pulling out on Thursday, this could have been very different. To the rescue came Maccabi stalwarts Dean and Warren Steinberg filling in for their first competitive match in over a year.

Their match along with Ian and Nathan’s was quite simply a rout.  Some highlights included Nathan’s precise down the line winners and Ian’s strong serve and net play. Dean and Warren combined as one would expect brothers who know each others game.

Gilad was racing against the clock to get his match started and finished in time (work commitments), and once commenced, struggled to focus and trailed 02. But as has been all season, Gilad showed that he is no push over,  crushing his opponent by not dropping another game.

Warren was in cruise control the entire match, whilst Ian and Nathan seemed to be going game for game in the singles both coming out on top in more competitive matches.

- Geoff Rosenberger

Section 6 Maccabi 4-6-58 defeated BLTC 2-3-41

Jan Tenenberg 8-7
Ryan Behr 8-6
Adam Needleman  7-8
Anthony Murray 8-0
Adam Needleman/ Anthony Murray 3-6 6-0 6-7 (6-10)
Jan Tenenberg/ Ryan Behr 6-4 6-3

I did tell the team before the match  that the kids were big hitters. Despite giving away their no 3 player to section 4 ( coincidentally he played Steven Bendel from our team who also was playing in section 4) and not playing their huge hitting left handed number one from last time, they pulled a surprise. Their number two who played this time is also a massive hitting left handed and also 15yo. I actually thought it was the same player as the number one who played last time, until I found out after the match . On our home courts he was smacking 200km/hour first AND second serves for the whole afternoon. The balls were smacking into the back fence and still climbing.

After doubles we were pleased to have a rubber each and up a set which I thought would win the afternoon. I was expecting two singles wins and a 3-3 score line. However, I have little faith.

Jan Tenenberg  played some brilliant tennis and probably in the best match for the club outpointed their big hitting number 1 to win in a tie break.

A superb effort by Anthony Murray who had a very good afternoon only losing 6 games for the day!

Ryan Behr narrowly edged out another big hitting kid in a tight contest. A very solid performance but I know Ryan’s secret which is his improved fitness.

A very pleasing 4-2 win by the team cementing a spot in the top four. Looking forward to the last four matches and to have Jan Tenenberg , Daniel Henquin and Anthony Murray all available which has not happened to date. The future is bright.  

- Adam Needleman

Section 9 Maccabi 1-3-50 defeated by Tennis World 5-7-59

Ben Pollak 5-8
Adam Rushford 8-2
Daniel Goodrich 4-8
Daniel Vertes 7-8
Ben Pollak/ Daniel Goodrich 6-3 0-6 6-7
Adam Rushford/ Jack Stock 2-6 6-4 6-7

Today we played against a few familiar faces, unfortunately just wasn’t our day. Result was closer than the what the scoreboard says as a few games were very close. 

Although we finish 2024 on a negative note losing the last 2 games, we have full faith that we can practise and rest up over the summer to come back in Feb and win a premiership for Maccabi. 

Finally, thank you to Adam Rushford for filling in, very greatful.

 - Ben Pollak

Section 10 Maccabi 3-5-49 defeated Caulfield Rec 3-4-50

Sebastian Raboy 5-8
Stephen Gorenstein 2-8
Ashley Raboy 8-5
Paul Kovacs 4-8
Sebastian Raboy/ Ashley Raboy 6-4 6-3
Stephen Gorenstein/ Paul Rubinstein 6-1 5-7 7-6

We hope that Paul Kovacs' left hamstring recovers fully and thanks to Stephen Gorenstein for managing to get Paul Rubinstein to play the doubles for Paul K. A narrow win today despite losing three singles rubbers!

- Ash Raboy