With the Wimbledon Championships on the go in London, the tennis fever has gripped the Kwa-Zulu Natal coastal city of Durban, more than 500 tennis players from across the country scheduled to participate in the Dunlop Junior Challenge from 5-9 July, 2013.
One of the strongest line-ups of players in the history of the tournament has confirmed their entry for KZN’s premier junior event which is rated Super 7 status and is part of the Key Health series, making it one of the most prestigious junior tennis tournaments in the country.
In the girls’ divisions, players will compete in the under 12, 14, 16 age-group categories in the gold- and platinum draws at different tennis clubs throughout Ethekwini, as well as at the Kwa-Zulu Natal and Durban Tennis Association headquarters, at Westridge Park Tennis Stadium in Mayville, Durban.
In addition, there will also be an open tournament, which falls in line with Tennis South Africa’s aims and objectives to encourage player exiting the junior ranks to continue to remain competitive in the game.
Gavin Crooks, President of Kwa-Zulu Natal Tennis, says KZN Tennis is ready to deliver a great event. “We are excited at hosting another edition of the Dunlop Junior Challenge. The tournament has proved to be a success in the past and together with our sponsors, Dunlop, we are looking to make this flagship tournament on of the best of the year.”
“What is a major attraction for the tournament is that it is played over the last weekend of the third Grand Slam of the year- Wimbledon, when tennis fever is at an all-time high,” continues Crooks.
Super-Brands Marketing Director, Steve Gallienne, said that his company’s Dunlop brand is happy to be part of the tournament. “We are delighted to be associated with an event boasting the cream of South Africa’s junior tennis players. As one of the world’s leading brands, we continue to commit ourselves to the development of tennis in our country, especially at grassroots level.”
Seeded Entries for the Dunlop Junior Challenge, in Durban from 5-9 July, 2013: Girls Singles Under 12: 1. Mia Dittberner (GN) 2. Lara van der Merwe (NWP) 3. Bianca Wolmarans (SWD) 4. Angela Georgieva (GC) 5. Helena van Eeden (GC) 6. Danielle Arndt (GN) 7. Linge Steenkamp (FS) 8. Delien Kleinhans (FS) Girls Singles Under 14: 1. Corin de Waal (WP) 2. Kaylin Bouwer (EP) 3. Maja Gledic (GC) 4. Evangeline du Toit (WP) 5. Lenka de Waal (Bol) 6. Alexis Tensfeldt (GC) 7. Bianca Koen (GN) 8. Ansune’ van der Walt (NWP) Girls Singles Under 16: 1. Tyra Timm (GC) 2. Cindy Dorrington (Bol) 3. Jone Kruger (NWP) 4. Hanri Stofberg (FS) 5. Imaan Hassim (GC) 6. Jeanne Klopper (FS) 7. Lise Stofberg (FS) 8. Tayla van Eck (GC) Women’s Singles: 1. Jeanne-Francine Schmidt (GN) 2. Shannon Cox (GN) 3. Caitlin Herb (GC) 4. Sarah Sarjoo (GC) 5. Bianca Birkenstock (KZN) 6. Tracey Bulmer (GC) 7. Taryn Swanepoel (GC) 8. Kymberlie van der Bank (GE)
(With editing by gsport)