Baobab Mini 1 Tennis Tournament opens season in Polokwane
The Limpopo Baobab Mini 1 Tennis Tournament brought top talent to Polokwane, kicking off the season with competitive matches and rising stars.
POLOKWANE – More than 100 tennis players from Limpopo and beyond gathered at the Polokwane Tennis Club over the weekend for the Limpopo Baobab Mini 1 Tournament, as part of the Tennis South Africa (TSA) Mini Tournaments series.
The event provided players with an opportunity to improve their national rankings while showcasing their skills on the court.
Tournament director Ernest Faver praised the rising popularity of tennis in Polokwane and commended the junior players for their dedication.
“The level of play was high and fast-paced. We appreciate everyone who travelled from Gauteng and other areas to support the event. Congratulations to all the players who earned top honours – you made us proud,” he said.
Faver also extended his gratitude to the local municipality for making the courts available, adding the economic benefits brought by the influx of players and their families.
Local talent made a strong showing throughout the tournament, highlighting the depth of skill within the province.
The men’s singles final saw local players Christiaan Pretorius and Blake Bekker compete for top honours, with Pretorius taking the spoils by 6-1, 6-3.
The women’s singles saw Paballo Chuene defeat Danica Freitas from North West 6-3 and 6-1.
In the girls u/14 doubles, local players Ashley Mhandu and Liah Lucila Leon Rodriguez defeated Deonez Mandtoumbi (GC) and J’laine Kruger (Gauteng) by 6-2, 6-3.
In addition to the competitive matches, the weekend featured the Rainbow Kidz Tennis Tournament, designed for beginner players aged four to 12.
The programme introduces young players to the sport using age-appropriate equipment and groups them according to age and skill level.
The enthusiastic participants played friendly matches while learning to keep score on their own.
Faver expressed his appreciation for the involvement of the younger players, stressing the importance of developing future talent in a fun and supportive environment.
The Limpopo Mini Baobab 1 marked the first TSA tournament of the year on local soil, setting the stage for a competitive season ahead.
