STELLENBOSCH, June 20, 2025
south African Tennis star Eyes Germany
Stellenbosch University’s rising tennis player, Jason Fogle, is set to represent South Africa for the second time at the FISU Games in Germany from July 16 to 27.
- Fogle previously represented South africa at the FISU World University Games in Chengdu, China, in 2023.
- He’s focusing on nutrition and fueling his body for peak performance this time.
- Fogle is inspired by tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Roger Federer.
- He’s eager to compete on clay courts and experience the German culture.
What’s next for the rising tennis star Jason Fogle? The upcoming tennis player from Stellenbosch University has been selected to represent South Africa at the FISU Games in Germany, marking his second international appearance. Fogle is preparing for the games to be held from July 16 to 27.
Fogle, who represented South africa at the FISU World University Games in Chengdu, China, in 2023, knows what it takes to compete at a high level. He shared his pride in representing his contry: “It is a privilege to represent South Africa.When you are playing you are not just representing yourself but your whole country. When playing at international tournaments the level is extremely high, the matches are always going to be tough. However, representing South Africa makes the experience a lot more meaningful and important, which makes you fight so much harder for the match.”
Learning from Competitors
Fogle reflects fondly on his experience at the last FISU World University Games in Chengdu,calling it one of his best experiences.”It is so different from playing a regular tennis tournament as you have so many athletes playing different sports around you constantly and just being able to learn from them was amazing,” said Fogle. He plans to prioritize his nutrition at the upcoming games.
The 22-year-old, also pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting at Stellenbosch University, began playing tennis at six. He recalls, “As I grew older, I started taking private lessons and increasing the amount of time I was playing. My parents encouraged me to play many different sports,such as rugby,soccer and golf. But at 14,I decided to focus on my tennis,simply for the reason that it was my favorite sport to play and I had more of a passion for it.”
Jason Fogle (right, with his training partner) reveals his biggest lessons from his tennis career so far: “Tennis has taught me many things such as being disciplined, handling pressure moments and being resilient. With tennis I have had the opportunity to travel the world and experience different countries, cultures and make great friends.”
As Team South africa prepares,Fogle is balancing his studies and training. Having recently finished his exams, he can now fully concentrate on the upcoming games. The teams will compete on clay courts in Germany, prompting a shift in training methods for Fogle and his teammates, as they are accustomed to hard courts in South Africa. A final training camp on clay is planned in Potchefstroom in early July to acclimatize before the games begin in mid-July.
Inspired by the Pros
Fogle was captivated by the recent Roland-Garros final between carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, calling it “insane tennis to watch.” He admires these young tennis stars: “What is so crazy for me as a player to watch,is not only that they were playing such a high level of tennis,but the fact that they can play that well for 5 hours and 29 minutes is actually insane.By watching those athletes for so long makes me push harder in fitness training.”
Fogle’s favourite tennis player is Roger Federer, and he finds motivation in Novak Djokovic, who continues to excel at 37. Fogle believes this inspires him to strive for excellence. He is looking forward to the upcoming games in Germany: “I am looking forward to playing in the stadium especially on clay. European clay is so unique to play on and it’s always a great experience. I am looking forward to staying in the village with all the other athletes and to experiencing the German culture as well as meeting international athletes from all over the world. I am also excited to do some sightseeing and explore Germany,” he concluded.
Training, Tactics, and Transitioning to Clay
Having spent the bulk of his training on hard courts, Jason Fogle faces a unique challenge adapting to the clay courts of Germany. The surface substantially impacts gameplay,requiring adjustments to strategy,movement,and shot selection. Fogle has noted the importance of this adaptation.
Clay courts demand a different approach: Players must master sliding, develop greater stamina, and utilize spin more effectively. The ball bounces higher and slower, giving players more time to react, but also making it harder to generate pace and hit winners.
Key Adaptations for Clay Court Success
Here’s how Fogle is preparing for the change in surface:
- footwork Drills: fogle is focusing on drills that simulate sliding and recovering on clay. These include short, shuffle steps for swift changes in direction, and longer, controlled slides to reach the ball.
- Shot Selection: Clay courts favor topspin and angles. Fogle is working on increasing his topspin to control the ball’s height and depth, as well as using acute angles to pull his opponents out of position.
- Mental Toughness: Clay courts require a higher level of mental fortitude due to the slower pace and longer rallies. Players must be patient, stay focused, and avoid unforced errors.
- Fitness and endurance: Matches on clay frequently enough last longer, so Fogle is intensifying his cardio and endurance training to maintain peak performance throughout each match. Increased endurance helps with consistency.
- Spin and Variation: Fogle is refining his use of spin, including topspin, slice, and drop shots, to disrupt his opponent’s rhythm and create opportunities to attack the net.
How does clay court play differ from hard court play? Hard courts are typically faster, favoring aggressive players with powerful serves and flat shots. clay courts emphasize patience, footwork, and spin, providing time for rallies and requiring more tactical awareness.
Fogle’s training camp in Potchefstroom will be crucial for fine-tuning these adaptations. The team will work together, practicing specific strategies, and simulating match play on clay. This training will aim to boost their confidence and readiness before the games.
What are the benefits of playing on clay? Clay court play develops a player’s all-around game, improving footwork, mental toughness, and tactical awareness. It also teaches players to be more patient and strategic.
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