African champs play here
The International Tennis Federation (ITF)/Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) African Junior Tennis Championships came to the Gauteng East Tennis Complex in Lakefield from Monday, March 27 to Tuesday, April 4.
The prestigious junior tournament pitted some of the continent’s elite u-14 and u-16 boys and girls tennis players up against each other.
South Africa, as hosts, fielded two u-14 and two u-16 teams.
Although no players from the Gauteng East region were selected for the national teams, the u-14 first team was coached by South African tennis legend and Benoni resident Helen Barrett.
Barrett, who has played at the French Open and Wimbledon, was ranked third in the country and holds the record for the most women’s club championships at Northmead Tennis Club, said that the sport is on the up in the country.
“Tennis is getting so big again, although there is just not enough exposure out there about what’s happening in the sport.
“There are a whole lot of new, positive things happening in South African tennis and at Tennis South Africa (TSA).”
“This tournament is the main championships for the whole of Africa.
“These are the best of the best players in their age groups.”
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