Several young South African players have been given wildcard entries into the main draw of the Ilana Kloss International (Women’s $25,000 ITF World Tour) and the North-West University Open (Men’s $25,000 ITF World Tour), beginning (today) Monday 2 March at the North West University Potchefstroom Campus.

Two-time NWU/RVTA ITF champion Delien Kleinhans, Lara van der Merwe, Maretha Burger, Robbie Arends, Carl Roothman, Alec Beckley and Pierre Malan will all play their first ever $25,000 ITF World Tour event, boosting South Africa’s main draw representation to 8 players.

The country’s top women’s player Chanel Simmonds (ranked 341 on WTA rankings) is the only South African who earned direct entry into the tournament.

In addition to the seven wild cards, Tennis South Africa (TSA) also announced the six women and three men who have been awarded wild-card entries into the Qualifying Tournaments.

Players receiving qualifying wild cards includes (Girls) Tamsin Hart, Fed Cup player Sinazo Solani, Mbali Langa, Rebecca Brody, Christene Kruger, Makayla Loubser, (Boys) Francois van Wyk, Luc Koenig and Mikaeel Woodman.

The inaugural Ilana Kloss International and the North-West University Open tournaments run from Tuesday, March. 3, to Sunday, March. 8. The Qualifying Tournament begins on Monday, March. 02, and entrance is free to the public.

Ilana Kloss International women’s main draw wildcards:

1. Delien Kleinhans
   2. Lara van der Merwe
   3. Maretha Burger

North-West University Open men’s main draw wildcards:

1. Robbie Arends
   2. Carl Roothman
   3. Alec Beckley
   4. Pierre Malan