Former Wimbledon doubles junior champion Angela Okutoyi will be the top seed for the Kenya Open tournament which starts next week at the Nairobi Club.
Fresh from winning the ITF women's 15s tournament in Monastir Tunisia last weekend, the country's youngest Kenya Open champion will be seeking to defend the title she won when the tournament was last held in 2018.
Speaking on Friday, Okutoyi said she is relishing the challenge of playing at the week-long tournament before she heads back to Auburn University in the USA.
"Winning in Tunisia was a big statement. It has really motivated me to do better in the upcoming events,” observed Okutoyi.
The teen sensation said she is delighted to have the tournament back after a four-year hiatus.
“I'm glad the tournament is back on the calendar and we hope it stays that way since it helps nurture new talents — who can help the country in future tournaments like the Davis Cup and Billy Jean King Cup,” added Okutoyi.
Okutoyi's sibling Rosehilda Asumwa will be the second seed with Tanzania Shana Mao seeded third ahead of compatriot Esther Nankulange.
Alicia Kinda is seeded fifth as Stacy Yego, Katarina Karanja and Faith Urasa complete the top eight.
Albert Njogu is the top seed in the boys' category ahead of Spain-based brothers Kael Shah and Keean Shah, who are seeded second and third respectively.
Rwanda's Ernest Habiyambere is seeded fourth with Kevin Cheruiyot, Raymond Iduor, Alvin Kimathi and Baraka Ominde completing the top eight seeds.
There will be qualification rounds for participants to enter the main draw on Saturday and Sunday.
Tennis Kenya executive officer Nancy Nduku said preparations for the tournament are complete.
“We expect a competitive championship in both the boys' and girls' categories. It's good to have our flagship tournament back after four years and we hope to have it in the years to come,” noted Nduku.
There will be five categories in the championships which include men and women's singles, men and women's doubles, mixed doubles, men and women wheelchair singles and doubles as well as men and women seniors over 50 doubles and mixed doubles.
