US Open quad player Lucas Sithole, who was the runner-up in the Australian Open in January, is a genuine super star and is ranked second in the world, behind David Wagner of the United States, who beat him in Melbourne.
South Africa’s number one female player, Kgothatso Montjane (affectionately known as KG), is ranked seventh in the world.
It is because of the achievements of these and other South African players, as well as the administration of Wheelchair Tennis South Africa, that South Africa has been awarded two important tournaments by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) Gauteng Open, to be played at the Gauteng East Tennis Centre at Benoni Lake, from Wednesday, April 23 to Sunday, April 27, is a grade one event, and one of only 13 such tournaments in the world.
Benoni is no stranger to this event, having hosted it in 2012 and 2013.
Both Sithole and Montjane will play in the tournament, while other top international players are expected to participate in Benoni, in preparation for the even more prestigious ACSA SA Open, at Ellis Park, from Tuesday, April 29 to Saturday, May 3.
The ACSA SA Open has Super Series status and is one of only six such tournaments. The others are played in Australia, France, Japan, Britain and the United States.
“It is a tremendous honour to be awarded such an important tournament,” said Wheelchair Tennis South Africa (WTSA) general manager Karen Losch.
“It is evidence that South Africa has been recognised as one of the powerhouses of wheelchair tennis.
“We expect stars from around the world to come to South Africa for the tournaments, and we hope the people of Gauteng will come in their numbers to support our players.”
Both tournaments will have draws of 32 for singles and 16 for doubles in the men’s event, 24 and 12 in the women’s event, and the junior and quads events will have draws of 16 and eight.
