SA wheelchair tennis team qualify for World Team Cup finals

The SA men’s wheelchair tennis team secured their spot in the 2020 World Team Cup finals with a clean sweep victory over Morocco in Nairobi on Sunday.

Twelve teams from eight countries battled it out on the courts of Nairobi Tennis Club, from February 13-16, to vie for a spot in the final of the world’s premier wheelchair tennis team competition. The World Team Cup will be held from May 4 to 10 at the Vilamoura Tennis Academy in Portugal.

The players competing for South Africa in the qualifying event were the country’s top-ranked player Evans Maripa, Leon Els and rising star Alwande Sikhosana.

The three players had a strong showing, notching back-to-back straight-set wins in all their singles and doubles rubbers against Tanzania, Cameroon and hosts Kenya en-route to the final.

“It wasn’t easy, but the team worked very hard,” said South African team manager Patrick Selepe.

“Evans proved to be a formidable No. 1 for us, and Leon Els simply was dominant at the No. 2 position. Alwande embraced his role all week and was a tremendous asset to our team and has a terrific future. It’s been a great week that should provide great momentum going into the final.

“Congratulations to all the three players for representing their country with pride,” added Selepe.

In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo