Wimbledon champion Angella Okutoyi eyes US Open

NAIROBI, Kenya- After her Wimbledon Junior Girls’ Doubles victory, Kenyan tennis star Angella Okutoyi has set her sights on the fourth leg of the 2022 ITF Grand Slam series, the US Open slated for New York City on August 29 to September 11.

The reigning Kenya Open champion has assured the country that she is going for nothing short of victory in America in the doubles.

“I’m definitely going for the next title.I have no worries in the doubles,” she said in Nairobi on Wednesday.

However, Okutoyi admitted she is working hard to be at par in the singles which has been quite a challenge for her of late.

“My target in the US Open in the singles is to have an impressive finish.

“To be honest, I have not been doing great in the category lately but my victory in Wimbledon in June has restored my confidence,” she underlined.

“Winning the Wimbledon has given me the extra belief that I can also do well in both singles and the doubles.

“The victory reinforced in me a positive mind and great courage that I can also do it better like other stars and world beaters out there,” she said.

Before stepping on US soil, the 18-year old former Africa double junior champion will head to Canada on Monday, depending on the availability of the visa, for the ITF’s J1 Repentigny Championships which she will use as a build up for the US Open.

She is also fresh from the W15 Monastir Championships in Tunisia, an ITF World Tennis Tour tournament which she also used as part of her preparations for the US.

“My target in Canada is to reach the semis, though my eyes are on the trophy.I believe I’m going for the win,” she underscored.

Ahead of the two high level international championships, Okutoyi said she is spending more time in the gym to add power and stamina to her muscles.She believes this will key to victory in the tournaments.

Her journey to become a world beater in tennis has been boosted by the Karen Golf and Country Club that on Wednesday gave her and her twin sister, Roselida Asumwa, an unlimited membership access to the Nairobi based golf club.

This means the duo can now access the tennis courts, the gym, the swimming pool and the 4.5km hiking path at Karen for free.

“We have also issued them with a preloaded membership card for food and drinks.They will be able to drink and dine with their specified next of kins,” Bob Onyango, the Karen Golf and Country Club General Manager, stated.

While hailing the kind gesture, Okutoyi said they feel honoured to be officially part of a members club.

“This means my sister and I will have more time on the tennis court as compared to the Nairobi Club where we were based.

“We will enjoy playing the game and have adequate practice time.

“The unlimited access to the gym will help us to work on our physical strengths since where we are now headed in tennis needs us to be strong physically and mentally,” she highlighted.

Okutoyi, who made it to the third round of the 2022 Australian Open Juniors is very hopeful that the kind gesture by the Karen Golf and CountryClub will mould them into a formidable to reckon with in tennis in the near future.

“I’m hopeful that one day, I will be able to partner with my sister Asumwa in a high level international event like the Williams sisters Serena and Venus do,” she stated.

In her free time, Okutoyi dances, cooks and watches tennis videos to pass time.

Onyango said granting the sister’s club membership will put the Karen Golf and Country Club at the forefront in promoting tennis.

“We are confident that our other 40 young players will undergo rigorous training that will convert them into world class players,” said Onyango.

Karen Golf and Country Club tennis committee member, Nicky Lynskey said the twins are such an inspiration that will motivate other players in Karen both on and off the courts.

“We can’t wait to grow together with the girls in Karen.They have built their career to such a level that their mental fortitude is unmatched,” Lynskey added.

UTILITIES

Angella Okutoyi selected achievements

-2022 Wimbledon Juniors Girls’ Doubles champion.

-Current Kenya’s number 1 ranked tennis player.

-The first Kenyan to win a Glam Slam Title. 

– 2018 Kenya Open Champion (seniors).

– Africa Junior Champion (2018, 2021), 

-Reached the third round of the 2022 Australian Open Juniors.

-Reached the second round of the 2022 Roland Garros French Open.

-Attained a career-high International Junior Ranking: 53rd overall in January 2022.

Roselida Asumwa achievements

-Currently ranked fourth nationally. 

-She is a regular quarter-finalist, semi-finalist and finalist in regional and African junior tournaments – U12 through to U18. 

-She achieved a career-high Junior Ranking: 1149 (January 2021) and Kenya ranking fourth over in the juniors and seniors). 

-She has represented Kenya in Fed Cup/ Billie Jean King Cup and the CAN.