20 Oct 2024

More than 50 players from different continents are expected to ascend in Gaborone to compete in the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors J60, which starts today.

In the boys category, Botswana will be represented by amongst others, Mark Nawa, Ntugamili Raguin, Esi Molefe, Seabo Saleshando and Katlego Regoeng.

Naledi Raguin, Chelsea Chakanyuka, Nino Sekonopo, Kagello Marumo and Ditshegofatso Bapaletse are in the girls category.

Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) president Oaitse Thipe said he was happy that the competition would help players to better their ranks.

He said a week after J60,  J100 would also take place in Gaborone.

He said Nawa had secured himself a USA scholarship in January, but he would still play to improve his ranking so that his continual development into professional tournament in America would be characterised by wild card attainment.

“Raguin is making a push to qualify for the Junior Australian and French open next year, 2025 is a crucial year, which can see him as the first Motswana player to play in the Grand slam,” he said.

Thipe said on the girls’ side, Chakanyuka would also be eyeing more points so that she could secure herself good scholarship.

He said Naledi was also looking forward to turn professional, adding, expectation was that she would do her best and get more points so that her transition to professional circuit would be smooth.

However, Chakanyuka said she was ready for the tournament, adding that she had been training with both her coach and other players to check her readiness.

She also had been doing extra exercises, and said her goal was to win, adding that she would like to make it to the quarterfinals then take it from there.

As for Molefe, he said he was ready for the tournament. He  said they had been doing a lot of work at training and working on his serves.

“People should expect a good performance from me, the intension is to go all out and do my best,” he said. ENDS