3 out of 7 teams won. One more week until the mid-season break (no play on Saturday 12 July).

🏳️‍🌈 As an inclusive club, Maccabi Tennis Club participated in Tennis Victoria's inaugural Pennant Pride Round - Pride Round is all about creating welcoming and inclusive spaces in tennis and celebrating LGBTQIA+ diversity that makes our club and sport stronger. We embraced Pride colours with banners on our tennis nets and Pride flags across the fence. Tennis Victoria also provided us with posters, stickers and wrist bands. This was well received by Maccabi Tennis Club players, opposition players and spectators who enjoyed being part of this special celebration together.

Tennis Victoria Winter Pennant

Grade 5 Section 3 Maccabi 4-6-50 defeated Vermont 2-2-41

Joel Fredman/ Marty Schwarz 6-2 6-4
Jordan Jaffe/ Steven Kleytman 1-6 6-3 4-10
Joel Fredman 6-8
Jordan Jaffe 8-4
Marty Schwarz 9-8
Steven Kleytman 8-6

On one of the nicest days in a long time we were lucky to have Joel play his first game for us for the season.

In the doubles, Joel and Marty played really good doubles and worked well together to win in straight sets. While Steve and Jordan worked hard and change tactics to win the second set after a poor first set, but went down in the super tiebreak.

In singles, Joel played really solid tennis but couldn’t reach his absolute best in his first game back against a very solid opponent, going down 6-8. Jordan played very consistent and tactical tennis to win 8-4. Marty remained positive and never gave up to win 9-7 in a deciding tiebreak after being up 6-3. Whilst, Steve played really well against a big hitter to win 8-6.

A win that cements our spot in the top 2, with 1 match to go until the 1 week winter break.

- Jordan Jaffe

Grade 7 Section 4 Maccabi 5-7-55 defeated Berwick 1-1-28

Rob Minc/ Damon Flicker 7-5 6-3
Geoff Rosenberger/ Steven Gostin 6-2 4-6 8-10
Rob Minc 8-2
Geoff Rosenberger 8-4
Steven Gostin 8-2
Damon Flicker 8-4

Solid win against 3rd on the ladder, secures our spot in the top 4 for now.

Never really in any trouble, Rob and Damo still had to work hard to produce the victory. 

This not lost on Geoff and Steve who blew a 42 30 0 lead in the 2nd.

To the singles and Rob hardly raised a sweat in an easy win. Damo fought hard from 34 down winning 5 in a row. 

Steve at 2 all won 6 straight. 

Geoff down 02 also fought hard to secure bonus pts for the team in a solid win.

A good result but no rest with a tough match next week against another finals contender.

- Geoff Rosenberger

Grade 8 Section 3 Maccabi 2-2-41 defeated by BLTC 4-6-55

Marcus Frajman/ Steve Bendel 4-6 5-7
Ryan Behr/Arvid Kreimer 5-7 7-6 11-9
Marcus Frajman 8-9
Ryan Behr 1-8
Steve Bendel 3-8
Arvid Kreimer 8-4

Marcus and Steve were far below their best in a disappointing performance. Ryan and Arvid were very gritty to come from behind in a match that lasted nearly three hours. Marcus had a close loss in a tiebreak. Ryan and Steve found it tough against hard hitting opponents. It was great to welcome Arvid back and he played smart and controlled tennis to win our second rubber. Hopefully we'll perform better next round!

- Marcus Frajman

Grade 8 Section 3 Maccabi 1-3-31 defeated by Patterson Lakes 5-5-45

Nathan Rapoport/ Zvi Schweitzer 6-3 6-2
Jay Landau/ Charlie Landau 1-6 6-2 5-10
Jay Landau 3-8
Nathan Rapoport 1-8
Charlie Landau 4-8
Zvi Schweitzer 4-8

Grade 10 Section 4 Maccabi 5-7-53 defeated Lauriston 1-1-19

Ben Pollak/ 6-0 6-0 (Forfeit)
Sebastian Raboy/ Ashley Raboy 6-2 6-1
Ben Pollak 8-0 (Forfeit)
Stephen Gorenstein 5-8
Sebastian Raboy 8-4
Jack Stock 8-4

A Day of Grit, Comebacks, and Team Spirit

 

Jack Stock – Comeback King at No. 4

What a match! Jack Stock stepped onto the court nursing a broken thumb and a bruised chest—already an uphill battle. His opponent, Matt, came out blazing, landing a blistering 75% of first serves with several unreturnables to storm to a 4-1 lead.

But Jack wasn’t done. Digging deep, he held serve for 2-4, then flipped the script entirely—winning seven straight games to clinch the match **8-4**. A masterclass in grit, consistency, and mental fortitude. An absolutely heroic comeback!

 

Stephen Gorenstein – A Fighter at No. 2

Stephen faced a tough opponent who brought the pressure early. Despite applying his trademark composed style, the match turned into a physical and mental grind. In the end, he went down fighting, **5-8**, in what was one of the day’s most intense contests.

 

Sebastian Raboy – Strategic and Strong at No. 3

Sebastian brought his A-game, outsmarting and outplaying his opponent from start to finish. His strategic play earned him a convincing **8-4** win and showcased his growing confidence and court awareness.

 

Doubles – Dominance on Display

Sebastian Raboy and Ashley Raboy teamed up as Doubles Pair No. 2 and were in total control, sweeping aside their opponents **6-2, 6-1**. Powerful, precise, and in sync—they were unstoppable.

 

Dead Rubber Doubles – A Spirited Clash

Though the final doubles was a dead rubber, it delivered plenty of entertainment. Stephen Gorenstein and Ben Pollak took on Lauriston's No. 2 singles player and Ashley Raboy in a fun yet competitive match. In the end, Ashley and Lauriston’s player edged it, but not without some thrilling rallies and sportsmanship all round.

 

Team Challenges

It was disappointing to see Lauriston arrive short-handed, fielding only three players after their No. 1 withdrew last minute. While unfortunate, we made the most of the glorious weather and focused on quality matches and great spirit.

Looking Ahead

Thanks to every player for their resilience and sportsmanship. We now turn our eyes to a massive challenge next week—**a must-win match against ladder-leaders Monash University.** This is our chance to make a statement and climb to the top! 

And a special shout-out to Daniel Goodrich—wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery. We miss you out there, mate!

Onwards and upwards. Let’s bring it next week.**

— Ashley Raboy

 

Grade 11 Section 2 Maccabi 2-2-35 defeated by Bulleen 4-6-54

Errol Dorfan/ Daniel Vertes 1-6 3-6
Aden Minaker/ Russell Golden 1-6 4-6
Errol Dorfan 9-8
Aden Minaker 4-8
Daniel Vertes 5-8
Russell Golden 8-6

A tough day against the top side. 

In doubles, both rubbers were disappointing losses.

In singles, Daniel left his comeback to late at 1-6 down. Well done to Errol for defeating an opponent with a UTR of 6.67!

Russell finished the day with a solid victory with his son and wife watching on.

 - Daniel Vertes

Grade 12 Section 3 Maccabi 0-0-11 defeated by Tennis World 6-8-56

Daniel Brami/ Asher Brami 1-6 1-6
Justin Amler/ Jonathan Krywicki 0-6 1-6
Daniel Brami 5-8
Justin Amler 3-8
Jonathan Krywicki 0-8
Asher Brami 0-8

A Tough day at the office vs the undefeated competition leaders. Big thanks to Asher Brami and Justin Amler for filling in for our missing regular players.

This was always going to be a big challenge, facing two very good players. Dan and Ash did their best but fell well short in what was an even shorter match.

Another lopsided scoreline. Both Justin and Jonny struggled to find any weakness in their opponents’ armour.

Dan was not entirely unhappy with this result against a much better player. 

Justin struggled against an opponent who had a big serve, a killer slice, and excellent touch at the net. He was starting to find his way into the match, but it was too late to prevent the 3-8 loss.

Jonny has shown noticeable improvement in his game but came up against an opponent who was simply far too good.

A tennis lesson for young Asher, who like Jonny on the next court was simply outclassed by a stronger player. Even so, the games were tight, with some great rallies.

 -  Daniel Brami