Local tennis prodigy Tatenda Mutweta (16), a learner at Hoërskool Marais Viljoen High School, has been selected to take part in the Orange Bowl Junior Tournament in Florida in December.
The tournament sees players from all over the world compete against each other, and is one of the largest tournaments in the junior tennis scene.
Tatenda has been playing since the age of six after his father took him to a club for the first time.
He has been playing and competing ever since, and is extremely excited to be taking part in a tournament of this magnitude.
“I’m a bit nervous because I have never competed on this large stage,” said Tatenda.
He said he looked forward to measuring himself against the other international players.
“The competitiveness of the sport is what I enjoy the most,” he said.
He described himself as a thinking tennis player, always considering the most effective move to make, and how he should be playing.
Tatenda has been focusing on getting himself ready to play at a higher elevation.
“I have been doing a lot of extra running to get myself ready.”
He has been training at least three hours a day on the court, aside his other seven-day a week training.
“I still have a bit of work to do before the tournament, but I will get there,” said Tatenda.
The family’s request is that anyone willing to help sponsor Tatenda, should contact Marais Viljoen school.
“I also want to thank Prominent Roofing for all the assistance and support they have already given me,” Tatenda said.