Contributed by reader Darren Leong

Kallang Tennis Centre, Wednesday, May 23, 2007 – In 1997, Martina Hingis’ golden year begins, with the Swiss Miss winning the first of her three grand slams for 1997 at the Australian Open. Up-and-coming young players like Serena and Venus Williams, also begin to make their mark in tennis. Pete Sampras’ supremacy wanes with the rise of Patrick Rafter.

In Singapore, young tennis is led by a brigade comprising of Jaime Wong, Julius Hiu, Chan Li Han, Leow Yik Hui and peers, some of them eventually moving to the United States to pursue their love of the game.

In our local school scene, Raffles Junior College lose a hard-fought National ‘A’ Division Girls’ Final to then Hwa Chong Junior College, while their boys win title number ten after effortlessly overpowering the entire competition and an eventual 5-0 dismissal of National Junior College in the Final.

2007. Epilogue.

Tennis has evolved. The names of past great players are now stuff of lore and legend, engraved and honoured in halls of fame.

In Singapore, young tennis champions (the likes of Stefanie Tan and Sylvester Wee) continue to display their prowess, dominating the local scene and making their mark in the international circuit.

It is in this era of tennis the power game, on the familiar and hallowed grounds of Kallang Tennis Centre where our contenders to the National ‘A’ Division crown meet, pilgrims inspired and inspiring, at the end of their journey.

Since 1997’s harrowing loss, the Rafflesian girls have returned with a vengeance, reaching all finals and claiming eight titles in ten years, losing only once to Victoria Junior College in 2006. This year, they are in unfamiliar territory; they are underdogs and they are surely not fancied to win. They treasure and remember with unbridled joy their semifinal upset of VJC. They know the task is not complete, far from easy, and seemingly insurmountable, as they face a dominant foe in the form of Hwa Chong Institution.

The Rafflesian boys have been champions from 1991 to 2002, then losing three times in the last four years at the hands of a resurgent Anglo-Chinese Junior College. Having defeated ACJC in the semifinal this year, they come to this final eager to silence all detractors and naysayers, and settle accounts with Anglo-Chinese School (Independent).

Heroes.

To approach this from the Rafflesians’ point of view would certainly be a disservice to the rich sporting history and traditions of Hwa Chong Institution and Anglo-Chinese School (Independent).

To simply list the score line or concentrate on one or two matches would not capture the full range of emotions or even begin to describe the great tennis played out.

To highlight the heroics and sheer grit shown by certain players would dilute the strong camaraderie and support evident in every team.

History would duly state 3-2 wins for both Raffles teams, but would not reflect the great comeback mounted by the Hwa Chong girls in their doubles rubber or the intense cheering by supporters who, absorbed by the intensity of each match, became new fans to the game. It would not remember the close matches between the boys, or the collective anxiety of all the coaches, willing their charges to victory.

As the sun set over Kallang, and the dust of recent battles settled, rivals congratulated each other as friends, and teams huddled in victory or consolation.

Another great final is etched in our memory.

The ghosts of 1997 are put to rest.

Editor’s note: The write is a Class of ’97 alum of Raffles Junior College and a member of the RJC Tennis team of ’96-’97.