EXCLUSIVE | John-Laffnie de Jager dishes the dirt on best mate Robbie Koenig

Ermelo-born former ATP tennis player John-Laffnie de Jager sat down with The South African’s Dave Marshall to discuss his best mate, Robbie Koenig.

For many tennis players, the court is just part of the story.

For De Jager, his longtime friend and doubles partner Koenig has been equally important off the court.

Mutual respect

In a candid interview, De Jager described their relationship as “special,” marked by mutual respect, accountability, and plenty of playful banter.

“Robbie’s a special man. He’s got my back; I’ve got his back. We’ve always been great friends,” De Jager said.

“We love tennis. We love life. We think about life and family the same way. He has three beautiful kids; maybe they feel like my own kids because they grew up around me. It’s a bond that goes beyond the court.”

The two friends are not afraid to challenge each other.

De Jager explained that if Koenig sees something he doesn’t agree with, he won’t hesitate to speak up – and vice versa.

“If he screws up, I tell him. If he says something that’s nonsense, I’ll give my facts, and he’ll give his. That’s the beauty of our friendship,” De Jager said.

Scramble to find a new partner

Their friendship first translated into doubles success at the US Open qualifiers, in what De Jager called a “funny” story.

Originally, he was scheduled to play with Goran Ivanisevic, but when Goran’s injury and ranking issues got in the way, De Jager had to scramble to find a new partner.

Enter Robbie Koenig.

“Robbie walks past Craig Tiley (my coach), and Craig says he’s looking for someone to play with. Robbie says, ‘Tell him I want to play doubles with him,’” De Jager recalled.

“I said, yeah, sure. But I was in the Hamptons. Robbie went to the tournament desk to sign in, and he literally timed it perfectly so nobody could bump us. Two hours later, I arrived, and we played our first round that night.”

Chemistry was clear

The gamble paid off.

De Jager and Koenig not only qualified for the US Open, but they also went on to make the quarte- finals, and then won challengers together and eventually reached the semi-finals at the US Open the following year, where they faced Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor in a nail-biting match.

Their on-court chemistry was clear.

De Jager praised Koenig’s “unbelievable hands” and speed, joking about his second-serve technique and even his emerging bald patches.

“Every time he runs past his second serve, the ball hits the back of his head. That’s why he’s losing hair!” De Jager laughed.

Through it all, their friendship has remained strong.

“It’s nice to know you have somebody that has your back,” De Jager said.

“We help each other, test each other, and we’ve been through everything together. That’s rare in this sport.”

From junior tennis partners to US Open semi-finalists, De Jager and Robbie Koenig have built a bond that proves doubles is about more than skill – it’s about trust, respect, and friendship.

Favourite Moments with Craig Tiley

John-Laffnie de Jager also discussed his fondest moments with Craig Tiley, the now former tournament director of the Australian Open and CEO of Tennis Australia.

De Jager has known Craig Tiley since he was just 16, when he went to Tyler, Texas, to be coached by him.

But beyond tennis, the two share a love of practical jokes – with one important rule: they never play them on each other.

That rule, however, didn’t stop De Jager from planning one unforgettable surprise.

“Craig came to South Africa in the off-season with one of his players,” De Jager recalled.

“I thought, ‘Time to break the rule.’ I got a friend of mine to meet him at the airport with a fake story about a truck delivering cows to a farm. Craig believed it completely!”

After being misled about a supposed emergency involving cow dung, Tiley endured a two-and-a-half-hour wait, thinking it was a joke the entire time.

“I waited until he ordered drinks at the restaurant, then walked in. He was grumpy, but it was worth it. I got him good!” De Jager laughed.

‘He was brilliant’

Beyond pranks, De Jager credits Tiley for his coaching and mentorship.

“Craig gave me the opportunity to train in Texas. Technically, he was brilliant – he taught me everything I know from a coaching perspective. And as a friend, he’s always there, even outside tennis.”

Their adventures didn’t stop at the court.

On a family trip to Clarens, Tiley brought his siblings and enjoyed a horse-riding lesson with De Jager.

“Craig wanted to slap his brother’s horse because it had itchy feet,” De Jager recalled.

“The horse kicked, took off, and Bruce was just hanging on. I was chasing him, shouting instructions – it was chaos!”

De Jager emphasises that these moments reveal more than humour – they reflect Craig Tiley’s character.

“He’s a special guy. I’m so proud of what he’s done. He’s amazing, and not enough people know he’s South African.”

From practical jokes to life lessons, De Jager’s stories show that his friendship with Craig Tiley goes far beyond tennis. It’s about trust, laughter, and shared adventures that last a lifetime.

Dave Marshall caught up with John-Laffnie de Jager at the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne, exclusively for The South African.