Fresh from winning the Kenya Open wheelchair tennis tournament, Phoebe Masika has turned her focus on the ITF wheelchair event slated for September 27-30 at the Nairobi Club.
Masika said winning the Kenya Open has motivated her as she prepares for the upcoming five-day tournament.
"I am looking forward to a tournament where you play some of the best players and the world. I want to see how well I can match up,” noted Masika.
With a month to go to the tournament, Masika said she will step up her training as she targets to win one of the two tournaments slated for Nairobi Club.
“ There are certain areas of my game I need to improve and with the help of my coaches, I believe there is adequate time to get this right,” added Masika.
Team Kenya will also be represented by the likes of Jane Ndenga and Asiya Sururu and Tennis Kenya expect them to have a competitive tournament.
TK executive officer Nancy Nduku said: "I believe we have a good crop of players in the wheelchair category and I expect them to do the country proud."
Nduku said competitors will earn ranking points, which will count towards the Paris Olympics qualification.
“This is a big incentive not only for our players but for the international players to compete in a Paris Olympics qualification tournament," said Nduku.
She said they are expecting a bumper turnout, not only from African countries but from across the globe.
"ITF is very deliberate in their attempts to popularise wheelchair tennis and so the interest in the game is very high," noted Nduku.
Nduku said the tournament will be preceded by a national wheelchair tennis camp at the Nairobi Club from September 21-23.
"The camp will be vital for players and officials in ensuring a problem-free tournament," said Nduku.
