Okutoyi thrilled to make maiden entry into top 1000

Kenya’s tennis sensation Angella Okutoyi has expressed her delight after making the top 1000 list for the very first time in her Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) career.

In the Singles Ranking released last week, the 19-year-old history maker leaped to position 930 following her title winning run in the W15 tournament held in Monastir, Tunisia where she went on lift her first professional title after recording a 6-2, 7-6(2) victory over USA’s Isabella Harvison.

Prior to that, Okutoyi’s highest position was 1122 back in February.

Speaking after defending her Kenya Open title in the 2023 edition that made its comeback to the country after a four-year absence, the 2022 Wimbledon Girls’ Doubles champion, was thrilled to see years of hard work finally get some rewards.

“I am now in the top 1000 and I am really happy about that. I did not know that I would break into the top 1000 but when I received the news during the Kenya Open tournament, I felt nice that my hard work is just paying off,” the two time African and Kenyan champion told Mozzart Sport.

“My plan is to build up my ranking in a bid to make it into the senior Grand Slams as I intend to play more futures tournament when I go back to school,” the player added.

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Okutoyi successfully defended her Kenya Open tennis title after recording a dominant 6-1, 6-0 victory over Tanzania’s Shana Mao in the 2023 women’s Singles final played at the Nairobi Club on Saturday.

Her powerful forehand, pinpoint serving and aggressive game proved to be disaster in the whole tournament as she was untroubled in her title defending run.

Okutoyi already reported back to USA where she is based with Auburn University in Alabama, who handed her a full time four year scholarship, following her Kenya Open win.

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