Namibia’s top young tennis players ended their season with the Junior Masters Championship at the Central Tennis Club in Olympia from 31 October to 1 November.
The two-day event brought together 52 of the best juniors in the under-10, under-12, under-14 and under-16 age groups for boys and girls.
Junior Tennis Namibia chairperson Daniel du Toit says the tournament showed great talent and fighting spirit.
“It was good to see how hard the players competed. Many matches were very close and went to three sets. The heat made it tough, but the players stayed strong,” he says.
The under-12 boys’ final was one of the most exciting. Breyton Bezuidenhout beat Shafishina Shimali 2-6, 6-4, 11-9 in a tough match.
Shafishina Shimali says he is happy to have reached the final.
“I felt very relieved that I made it to the finals. The hardest part was that I got tired fast and couldn’t keep up. My goal for next season is to stay number one and qualify for international tournaments,” he says.
In the under-14 girls’ final, Elrica Nakusera beat Emma Brinkmann 6-1, 6-3.
“It felt amazing to win. I worked really hard to get here, and I’m proud of myself,” Nakusera says. “My plan is to play more tournaments, both in and outside Namibia, and to keep improving.”
In other results, Johan Theron won the boys’ under-14 title after beating Tadiwa Mombeyarara 6-3, 6-4, while Joanivia Bezuidenhout took the girls’ under-16 crown after a close 0-6, 6-3, 7-6 win over Mari van Schalkwyk.
Other winners included Niamey Marcus (girls’ under-12), Janice Bezuidenhout (girls’ under-10) and Ilan Aisindi (boys’ under-10).
Du Toit says this year was busy and successful for tennis.
“We hosted many events like the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup and Region 5 Championship. We hope to end the year strong with the Swakopmund Open in December,” he says.
Pameni Paulus, Breyton Bezuidenhout and Shafishuna Shimali celebrate their success after finishing in the top three of the boys’ under-12 category at the Junior Masters Tennis Championship at Central Tennis Club in Olympia.
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