Tennis South Africa (TSA) has confirmed that the Ilana Kloss International – two weeks of back-to-back International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour events for women – will be taking place, under strict COVID-19 protocols, in February 2021.
According to a TSA press release, these tour events will take place at the North West University (NWU) and is once again another coup for sport in Potchefstroom.
The two $25 000 prize money events, named after well-known former South African No. 1 player and social activist, Ilana Kloss, debuted in the country in March 2020, but had to be cancelled, during the second week of competition, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ilana Kloss international – week one and week two, respectively, will take place in a COVID-19 bio-bubble at North-West University in Potchefstroom, and run from the week commencing from 8 February 2021, onwards.
The 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 will attract a mix of the best South African juniors, local fledgling professionals, as well as international players – both from Africa and abroad.
Sheldon Rostron, Head of Sport at NWU, believes the University has put the necessary steps in place to host a successful and safe two weeks of competition:
“It is a privilege for NWU to host these international women’s events in honour of Ilana Kloss. We are grateful to participate in sport again and appreciate the confidence of the ITF and TSA to host the two weeks. The facilities and support services of the NWU are well equipped and we will do our best to ensure that things run smoothly, despite the continued effects of Covid-19.”
Meanwhile, TSA will also be hosting two men’s international events in South Africa during the same period, at the same venue.
According to the press release, an announcement about these events will be made shortly.
