Nairobi Club courts to undergo renovation ahead of Billie Jean King Cup Africa tourney

Nairobi Club will host the highly anticipated World Cup of Tennis- Billie Jean King Cup Africa Group III tournament on June 12 after entering into partnership with Tennis Kenya, one that will see its courts undergo significant transformation as preparations ramp up.

The renovations at the club - that has eight murram tennis courts, two of which are floodlit - will all be done with the aim of providing a world-class playing surface, making it the first tennis club in Kenya to feature an international standard surface.

In the announcement that could prove a significant milestone in the nation's tennis development, Tennis Kenya, in a letter sent out to the press, is embarking on replacing existing Murram surface courts to clay, which is the internationally recognized tennis surface popular in Europe, and famously associated with the renowned Roland Garros tournament.

“The decision to transition from murram to clay courts was driven by the aim to address concerns raised by international players regarding the slipperiness of the previous surface,” a part of the Tennis Kenya statement read. “With the new clay courts, Nairobi Club will provide players with a reliable and consistent playing environment, ensuring an enjoyable and competitive tournament experience for all participants.”

Apart from the surface, the club will also embark on expanding the courts to meet the required measurements of the sidelines, a crucial aspect for hosting international events.

The renovations will also touch on a comprehensive overhaul of its tennis section - The referee's Banda, umpire seats, net posts, and landscaping.

“The club's commitment to meeting international standards demonstrates its dedication to promoting tennis in Kenya and attracting top-level competitions,” Tennis Kenya’s statement - signed by the Federation President James Kenani, Secretary Wanjiru Mbugua Karani and Treasurer Rose Wanjala added. “With these improvements, Nairobi Club will be capable of hosting tournaments of all levels, elevating Kenya's position on the global tennis stage.”

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The courts recently hosted the W15 Nairobi Tennis Tournament last year and will this year welcome a total of 12 countries among them: Botswana, Morocco, Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Uganda, Tunisia, Burundi, Nigeria, and hosts Kenya.

Tennis star Angella Okutoyi is also expected to be competing in the tournament.