Two-time Kenya Open champion Angela Okutoyi is set to make her appearance at the upcoming W25 tournament scheduled to be held at the Karen and Nairobi clubs next month.
Nancy Nduku, the executive director of Tennis Kenya (TK), confirmed Okutoyi’s participation in the two-week event, which boasts a prize purse of Sh3.7 million.
According to Nduku, preparations for these tournaments have commenced in full swing. “This event is a key fixture in our calendar, and we’re already preparing to ensure that the tennis courts are in top condition along with handling all logistical arrangements.”
Several players are expected to participate in the championship, including Alicia Owegi, Cynthia Cheruto, Stacy Yego, and an array of international players from different countries. Nduku noted that players would be striving to enhance their rankings in one of the final competitions of the year.
With a rising global ranking of 869, Okutoyi, the 2022 Wimbledon doubles junior champion, aims to climb even higher. She expressed her intentions to partake in several tournaments on the US circuit in November, aspiring to elevate her global ranking to the top 700 by year-end.
Okutoyi has experienced mixed results on the US circuit, excelling notably in the doubles category alongside Adeline Flach. Just recently, they clinched victory in the W15 tournament by defeating Anita Sadileva of Ukraine and Chieh Yu Hsu of Chinese Taipei with a score of 7-5, 6-3.
“Improving my performance in the singles category during the upcoming tournament is my main focus,” Okutoyi expressed. She eagerly anticipated playing on home soil after claiming the Kenya Open in August. In this event, she triumphed in the singles category against Tanzania’s Shana Mao, securing a 6-1, 6-1 win. Subsequently, Okutoyi, along with her sibling Rosehilda Asumwa, seized the doubles crown by defeating Tanzania’s Mao and Esther Nankulenge with a resounding 6-0, 6-0.
“I’m enthusiastic about competing against skilled players from around the world and representing the country with pride on home turf.”
