29 Oct 2019

Tennis starlet, Tshegofatso Tsiang, hoisted Botswana flag high in Mozambique over the weekend.

She won the under 18 tournament organised by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

The 17-year-old, currently ranked 271 in the ITF junior rankings, defeated Isabella Weatherhead of South Africa 6-4, 6-3 to emerge victorious, a win that could raise her ranking.

Tsiang started the tournament on a high note beating Anais Fernandez Laaksonen of Finland (7-6(5) 6-3).

Her second game was against Zimbabwean, Chelsea Chakanuka, while in the third game she was pitted against South African, Line Greyling and she won (4-6 6-2 6-3).

In an interview, she said it was a challenge to reach the finals given that the first round she played against Laaksonen whom she said was a closed book to her.

“It gave me a lot of nerves but once I got on court, I went all out and gave my best for every match,” she said.

Furthermore, Tsiang said she was happy given that her performance would improve her rankings, adding that the new rankings were yet to be released.

She said she had prepared well for the tournament, ading that prior to the competition, she had been training every day and working on new ways to improve her game.

“I am glad that what I have been working on paid off in the tournament.  I was playing four matches in total,” she said.

She said what kept her motivated was desire to win.

“I won all my matches, all the way to the finals and I have learned that even if the results do not show now if you still have the passion to compete and win, then you will succeed.

My win enabled me to believe in myself than before and it has motivated me to do more,” she said.

Tsiang said her dream was to be part of the Women’s Tennis Association ranking, adding that she was confident that with hard work she would attain her dream. ENDS