South Africa to host Africa's first ever ITF W60 event

TuksTennis, a tennis club in the University of Pretoria, South Africa will play host to a historic moment in the African continent as it will be the venue where the first ever International Tennis Federation (ITF) $60 000 World Tennis Tour event will be held later on in March.

The event taking place in Pretoria, the first of two back to back ITF Women’s Tournament, was announced by Tennis South Africa as part of the ITF’s commitment to stage more elite women’s events by providing funding and support to upgrade existing events.

“Tennis SA have announced two ITF Tennis World Tour women's tournaments to be held at TuksTennis during the weeks commencing the 27th March & 3rd April 2022 respectively. The opening event will be the first ITF $60 000 WTT event held in Africa,” the body posted on their social media platform.

The second tournament, named after former SA Number 1 and social activist Ilana Kloss, will return for the third year, but has been moved from Potchefstroom to Tshwane.

The two back-to-back ITF World Tennis Tour events will take place at the University of Pretoria during the weeks commencing the 27th March and 3rd April 2022, respectively.

The Johannesburg-born Kloss, who won two Grand Slam doubles titles, is well-known for her work with long-time partner Billie Jean King in advocating for gender equality, inclusivity, and diversity.

Tennis sensation Angela Okutoyi sets sight on 2024 Paris Olympic Games

“Representing South Africa was one of the highlights of my career and I am excited to see increased opportunities for South African players on our home soil,” Kloss is quoted on the Tennis SA website.

“The addition of a women’s ITF $60,000 level tournament to the annual calendar is a big step to growing tennis in South Africa and throughout the region and it is exciting to have this new event and the tournament in Tshwane that carries my name as part of the ITF World Tennis Tour.”

The two events form part of the ITF World Tennis Tour, which is the umbrella name for all former ITF pro circuit (Futures) and junior circuit tournaments and serves as the ITF’s pathway from the junior game into the elite levels of professional tennis. As such, they are expected to attract a mix of the best South African juniors, local fledgling professionals, and international players from Africa and abroad.

Andre Homan, CEO of Tennis South Africa, said: “The Federation continues to work hard to bring more international tennis events to our country and we are very appreciative for the financial support from the ITF to be able to host an ITF $60,000 World Tour event for the very first time. This is a real boost for women’s tennis in the country.”

Steven Ball, Director of Sport at TuksSport is delighted to see these prestigious international tennis events hosted at the University: “Over the last few years, TuksSport, TuksTennis and Tennis South Africa have formed partnerships to improve the game of tennis, whilst providing a host venue that can facilitate high level and quality tennis.”

Talented in football and music - this is the story of Enock Wanyama

“This was initiated through our partnership in creating a home base for the High-Performance Wheelchair Tennis programme and has extended into the hosting of $15,000 and $25,000 events the last few years. Being able to once again partner with TSA in hosting these prestigious Women’s world tennis tour events, speaks to our partnership and more so the potential win-win relationships that can be forged between national federations, universities and the corporate sector,” added Ball.

Additional Reporting by Tennis SA.