The roots of our story trace back to the 1990s, when Philip (Flip) van Antwerpen discovered a lifelong passion for squash at the Chambers Exiles Club. It was at this club that the van Antwerpen brothers’ love for racket sports first became evident. Topspin SportsGear was founded in 2012 by Flip and in 2025, the business was taken over by his son Juan-Philip (JP) van Antwerpen, who continues to grow the brand with the same passion and authenticity that started it all.

Alongside JP is his brother, Juan-Louis (JL) van Antwerpen, whose sporting achievements embody the spirit of Topspin. Juan-Louis' journey in racket sports began at an early age, where his exceptional talent quickly set him apart. As one of South Africa's leading junior tennis players, he was selected to compete in the prestigious Nike Junior Masters, an invitation reserved for the country's most promising young athletes. His performances soon attracted national attention, and he was featured by Team South Africa as one of the nation's rising stars after being invited to an elite high-performance training camp in Stellenbosch. For the van Antwerpen family, this marked the first time their commitment to excellence in sport was recognized on a national stage, laying the foundation for what would eventually inspire the growth of Topspin SportsGear.

Juan-Louis's development continued as he earned the opportunity to compete in the United States. Throughout his NCAA career, he established himself as one of the region's premier doubles players. In his senior year, he and his partner captured the Midwest Doubles Regional Championship, finishing as the No. 1 ranked doubles team in the Midwest while also earning a place among the Top 12 NCAA D2 doubles teams in the country.

Today, JL continues to embody the values that define Topspin SportsGear. His experience as an elite athlete across multiple racket sports provides invaluable insight into performance equipment, competition, and player development. Together with his father Philip and brother Juan-Philip, he forms part of a family whose passion for racket sports has shaped Topspin into a trusted name dedicated to helping players of every level perform at their best.

His older brother Juan-Philip (JP) van Antwerpen is a competitive player himself, and his journey in racket sports runs deep. Recruited by Davenport University in the United States, he played college tennis while earning two degrees, later coaching both tennis and squash. He competed at Davenport University, where he ranks third in all-time singles wins and second in all-time doubles wins for the Panthers.

Since moving back to South Africa, JP and his brother Juan-Louis was featured in the 360 Diamond Padel League alongside the countries elite players. Together they won the Gauteng Men’s Doubles Pickleball Open in 2025 & 2026, finished top 4 at the 2026 SA Pickleball Open, played Beach Tennis recreationally and competed in Joburg's local squash leagues and tournaments.

That player experience shapes everything we do, from the products we stock to the honest advice we share with customers every day.