Hub Staff
It was an exciting day for tennis fans in Saugeen Shores as Canadian tennis doubles champion Daniel Nestor visited the Southampton Tennis Club.
The day started with a private brunch at Saugeen Golf Club with an exclusive meet and greet with Nestor. Tennis exhibitions were then held at the club from 1:30 to 5pm.
After Master of Ceremonies Tim Wright, a member of the Southampton Tennis Club, introduced Nestor and welcomed him to Southampton, Wright thanked the organizers and everyone who helped bring Nestor to town.
Wright then listed some of Nestor's achievements which included 12 grand slam titles, being the third most winning doubles player of all time and the 10th most winning tennis player of all time. An Olympic gold medal, four ATP tour title wins, being named ATP doubles team of the year in 2002, 2004 and 2008 as well as being a recipient of the Order of Canada were also among Daniel's achievements. Wright also spoke of the Daniel Nestor charity, which has raised over $1,000,000 for North York General Hospital.
Exhibitions started with a passing shot drill where 20 Southampton Tennis Club members tried to get a ball past Nestor. Other exhibitions included a men's doubles 10 point tie-breaker, a junior mixed doubles, a mixed doubles and a serving clinic with Casey Curtis, the former coach of Canadian Tennis star Milos Raonic.
The event was sponsored by Cameron Cross, an investment advisor with the Cross Financial Group of CIBC Wood Gundy and an accomplished tennis player himself.
Bill Pineau, one of Southampton Tennis Club's 15 volunteer directors, thought Nestor's visit was great for the club. “It's a real boost. It worked out really, really well,” said Pineau. “This is a great thing. You've got one of the foremost Canadian tennis players around.”
Pineau added that the Southampton club has a total of approximately 1,500 members and 15 tennis courts. "We're probably the biggest summer clubs in North America."
Cross agreed, “It's an amazing club.”
Nestor autographed tennis balls and posed for photographs while the junior mixed doubles exhibition took place.
A free barbecue was also held in the afternoon.
