Tennis Pro
Rob Nankervis
Rob grew up in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal, in the Republic of South Africa. He was raised on a farm and attended a leading boarding school where he excelled at several sports as well as earning the Head Master's Award for Leadership in his senior year.
Rob then went on to study at the University of Natal where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree while representing the university at both cricket and tennis. He also attained a post graduate degree in higher education.
A compulsory two year service in the South African Defense Force followed. During this time Rob represented the Army in the South Western District tennis conference. (Roughly equivalent to Southeastern Conference)
Rob returned to civilian life as a high school teacher and tennis coach while continuing to play tennis for several tennis clubs. He represented the South Coast division in interprovincial tournaments and continued to play around the country. Rob began to teach tennis lessons at the Umtentweni Tennis Club along the east coast of South Africa.
During the mid 1990's Rob and his wife Gail visited America and fell in love with Arkansas. They dove head first into the Arkansas tennis scene. Rob was the top ranked men's open tennis player in 1995 and he and Gail were the leading mixed doubles combination in the state in 1996. Rob began to teach tennis at Walker Tennis Center in 1998 where his clientele quickly grew. In 2002 Rob was invited to be the teaching professional at Otter Creek Racket Club. In December of 2006 Rob became the Head Tennis Professional at Otter Creek Racket Club.
Gail Nankervis
Gail Nankervis has long been a very accomplished tennis player herself. Gail is a USPTA certified teaching professional who has instills a love for the game in new players, as well as helping more experienced tennis players take their games to new heights. She has been very instrumental in building Otter Creek's junior tennis program.
Gail's teaching abilities and love for the game have helped grow tennis in Otter Creek and her work with the five USTA sanctioned tournaments held at Otter Creek has been invaluable. She leads the Aussie Tykes (4 to 6 year olds), French Open (6 to 9 year old beginner players), and the Monte Carlo (beginning teenaged group). She teaches both intermediate and advanced juniors, as well as conducting private and group adult lessons. Gail has undergone extensive training in aerobics which makes her an excellent cardio-tennis instructor too!
