A vastly experienced team has been unveiled by Tennis South Africa for the BNP Paribas World Team Cup to be played in Turkey next week from 7-12 May 2024.
The national squad will consist of four teams of two players each competing in the men’s and women’s divisions, as well as the quad and junior boys’ categories.
In the men’s competition, the nation will be represented by Alwande Sikhosana, who won gold in singles and doubles finals at the African Para Games in Ghana last year, and Evans Maripa, a former winner of the SA Open.
The powerful women’s team will feature global star Kgothatso Montjane, who won the French Open and US Open doubles titles last year and is currently ranked seventh in the world, as well as Mariska Venter, who is ranked third in Africa.
Another strong pairing will compete in the quad category, with the SA team including world No 4 Donald Ramphadi and former US Open champion Lucas Sithole.
“The Paralympics is around the corner, in September, and this is an opportunity for all our players to prepare well because most of the individuals that will be participating in the Paralympics will be part of this World Team Cup,” said SA team manager Patrick Selepe.
“We’re looking forward to competing among the best and playing our best.”
Selepe was also thrilled to have a junior boys’ team in the squad, with the country being represented by 18-year-old prospects Ntando Nokama from Vukuhambe Special School in Mdantsane and Bongumenzi Biyela from Open Air School in eThekwini, who are ranked first and second in Africa respectively in their age group.
“I’m super excited to see the youngsters being given an opportunity to participate among the best in the world at an early age. It shows that development is happening and it is being done well,” Selepe said.
This year, 44 teams representing 21 countries will vie for victory in various draws, including 16 teams in the men’s draw, 12 in the women’s, eight in the quad, and eight in the junior draw. The BNP Paribas World Team Cup stands as the ITF’s flagship event in Wheelchair Tennis and is recognised as the pinnacle of the sport.
The tournament serves as the ITF’s primary team wheelchair tennis event leading up to the Paralympics, offering a unique platform to showcase talent and the journey of competing players en route to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
SA Team:
Men
Alwande Sikhosana
Eliphas Maripa
Women
Kgothatso Montjane
Mariska Venter
Quads
Donald Ramphadi
Lucas Sithole
Junior Boys
Ntando Nokama
Bongumenzi Biyela
Coaches
Moleboheng Molatudi
Patrick Selepe