Kenya’s Alicia Owegi remains optimistic and believes there is still much to play for in the Billie Jean King Cup Group III tournament despite a 6-3, 6-0 loss to Morocco’s Aya El Aouni in her first match at the Nairobi Club.
Reflecting on her defeat, Owegi acknowledged the disappointment but expressed her determination to perform better in her upcoming matches. “I came out with a lot of energy… I enjoyed the crowd, enjoyed the support. I gave my all today, and I’m excited to see how the rest of the tournament unfolds. Starting with a win would have been ideal, but I know there are still plenty of opportunities to improve,” Owegi shared.
The young player, based in the United States, initially showed promise by going head-to-head with her North African opponent in the first set, which Aouni eventually won 6-3. However, Owegi struggled in the following set, surrendering 6-0 and resulting in Kenya’s first defeat in Group A.
Owegi admitted that losing the closely contested first set affected her mental strength in the second.
“The first set, where I came so close to winning and then lost, disrupted my momentum a bit. It’s something I need to work on going forward… maintaining momentum. I’ll see how the next matches go,” Owegi explained.
Aouni acknowledged the challenging nature of the game, particularly in the first set, as she adjusted to the altitude at the Nairobi Club.
“The first set was tough for me as I was still adapting to the altitude. In the second set, I felt more confident about my game and more relaxed. It’s a great feeling to start the tournament with a win, especially since our team is leading in the standings. We’re representing our country and aiming to win the Billie Jean King Cup,” Aouni shared.
She also expressed her appreciation for the lively Kenyan atmosphere at the venue, despite not being able to explore beyond the club premises.
“I love the crowd here… It’s my first time in this place, and I’m loving it. Although I haven’t had the chance to explore outside the club yet, I hope to do that soon,” Aouni added.
