Curro Hillcrest in Durban is hosting the first of two International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior tennis tournaments starting this week.
The first, the J200, began on Monday and will run until Saturday.
The tournaments, sanctioned by Tennis South Africa, will feature some of the top-ranked junior Under-18 players, boys and girls, from around the world.
The J300 will run from September 16 to 21.
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Massive opportunity
Curro CEO Cobus Loubser said: “Tennis is a major sport in most of our schools and our involvement in promoting the sport at international level allows many South African players the opportunity and stage to participate and be noticed.
“Several Curro learners have gone on to make that step into the professional ranks.”
Loubser added that off the court, the standard of tennis should attract a healthy flow of spectators over the two weeks.
“These junior players deliver an incredible level of high-class tennis and entertainment. People must realise that the big names in today’s world of tennis all started by playing in tournaments like these. Who knows what gems will be uncovered at Curro Hillcrest for future stardom on the courts of the world,” he said.
Topping the rankings in the girls’ draw is Turkey’s Ada Kumru, ranked 85th in the world junior standings, with South Africa’s Danielle Chapman, ranked 195 in the world, seeded 20th in the main draw.
Three South African girls play in the qualifiers, including 14-year-old Jahnie van Zyl, who was a crowd favourite at the Curro Centre Court series.
For the boys, the Czech Republic’s Petr Brunclik ranked 22nd on the world rankings, takes the top seeding. There are four South Africans, led by John Bothma and Connor Doig, who will play in the main draw and multiple others in the qualifying draw.
Selected matches at the tournaments will be aired on the Curro Sport YouTube channel.
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