Okutoyi's performance good for the game - Tennis Kenya SG asserts
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 29.01.22. | 10:21
The Kenyan tennis sensation became the first Kenyan woman to play at the Australian Open and to win a Grandslam match
Tennis Kenya General Secretary, Wanjiru Mbugua-Karani believes Angella Okutoyi's exploits in the Junior Grand Slam during the Australia Open where she was eliminated in the third round was good not only for the teenager but also for the game in general in the country.
While explaining the federation's delight in the 17-year-old's performance to the International Tennis Federation, Wanjiru confirmed that Kenyans interest in the game went a notch higher considering it was a constant topic more so on social media.
Kenya, Africa and the entire world is proud of you. Roland Garros here we come. Congratulations @Okutoyiangella2 for making us proud. pic.twitter.com/JkERhpqtyg
— Tennis Kenya (@tennis_kenya) January 27, 2022
She further added that it was enough motivation for other young players to continue putting in the needed effort.
“Tennis Kenya is extremely proud of Angie and the hard work and resilience she showed in each match she contested at the Australian Open. By following Angie’s matches, Kenyans’ interest in tennis has piqued and she has been trending on Twitter. Her performance has inspired Kenyans around the country to sit up and take notice of her and tennis in general. It has inspired a lot of JTI players to keep working as they have now seen a snapshot of what it looks like to start in the JTI and end up at the Grand Slams," Tennis Kenya General Secretary, Wanjiru Mbugua-Karani is quoted by ITF
What a backhand 😲
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2022
🇰🇪 Angella Okutoyi is one of the feel-good storylines of this fortnight 👏 #AusOpen · #AO2022
🎥: @wwos · @espn · #Eurosport · @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/xjkRNCF17K
The former Kenya international added that Okutoyi's exploits have seen legends in the game galvanize on how they can collectively give back to the game, hoping that it will motivate Okutoyi to aim higher.
“In just two weeks, the interest in Angella has generated a lot of queries about tennis participation. It has also energized and galvanized Kenyan tennis legends back to the game, inspiring conversations on how they can give back. We now hope this will motivate Angella to do better and to get the sponsors she so needs. Because the bar has been set high by Angella, we know it will inspire participation in the game and it will raise the level of tennis in Kenya,” she added.
The Kenyan had a good run in the first two rounds, sailing through past Federica Urgesi and Zara Larke respectively but her fairytale at the Australian Open Junior Championship was brought to a disappointing end in the third round as she lost in straight sets to Serbia’s Lola Radivojevic
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