By Jessica Anstice
Berwick Tennis Clubs Munyimani brothers, Mudiwa aged 12 and Maiti aged 10, have number one rankings both in Victoria and nationally in Australia for their year of birth.
The brothers are home schooled by their parents to dedicate the time needed for training and development.
They train for many hours and are often practising up at the courts.
The Berwick senior club champion, Andrew Diakoff, has been mentoring and hitting with the boys who have been part of the club since 2011.
“It has been such a pleasure to coach Mudi and Maita for the past six years,” coach Lois Plowman said.
“Their passion for the game, amazing skills and work ethic combined with the determination to succeed is very rare at such a young age.
“It has been a privilege to be part of their tennis journey as the boys are a coach’s dream, hard workers and respectful.”
Ms Plowman said he encourages the boys to follow their dreams, continue to work hard, remain humble and success will follow.
A few months ago club membership officer Helen Stewart proposed to the committee to implement an Elite Player Support package for the boys.
The support package is designed to provide financial, training and marketing support to any Berwick Tennis Club member who meets certain qualifying criteria.
In presenting the Elite Player Support Packages to Mudi and Maita at the Berwick Tennis Club’s Annual General meeting recently, club president, Shane Fielding said having two players at the club that have the potential of Mudi and Maita happens once in a lifetime.
“The time commitment and cost to make it to the elite levels in tennis is enormous and the Berwick Tennis Club is extremely pleased to provide the boys and their family with as much support as we can throughout this part of their journey,” Mr Fielding said.
The boys’ accomplishments are astounding.
Mudiwa is currently ranked 477th in the Australian Men’s official Tennis Australia rankings.
In last 12 months, Mudi’s played singles and doubles in more than 25 Under 12 and Under 14 tournaments around Australia. In that time Mudi has won eight singles and five doubles titles, including winning the 12 and under boys singles title at the Australian Grass court championships in April this year and the U14 singles and both the U14 and U12 doubles titles at the 2018 Tasmanian State Championships a few weeks later.
He has also been runner up in six singles and two doubles tournaments.
Maita is currently ranked 1123rd in the Australian Men’s official Tennis Australia rankings.
In the last 12 months, Maita’s played singles and doubles in more than 25 Under 12 tournaments.
In that time Maita has won one singles and two doubles titles, with big wins in singles at the IMG Discovery Open in April this year and taking out the 2018 Tasmanian State Championships Under 12 doubles title with his brother Mudi a few weeks later.
He has also been runner up in one singles and three doubles tournaments.
The boys also pair together to make a successful and formidable doubles team.
Maita and Mudiwa said they enjoy tennis because it is a fun sport and they both like competing and making new friends.
