Africa Games champion Angella Okutoyi is using the ongoing W35 tournament to sharpen her game and strengthen her push for qualification to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
According to her coach, Thuku Rogoi, early preparation and consistent participation in high-profile international tournaments will be key as Okutoyi seeks to make history as the first Kenyan tennis player to feature at the Olympic Games.
“In the last Olympic cycle, we missed out despite winning the Africa Games title, but this time we are not taking any chances. We have started our preparations early,” said Rogoi.
Okutoyi showcased her fighting spirit in the first leg of the tournament, edging Italy’s Martina Colmegna 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in a gripping two-hour encounter. She later teamed up with Poland’s Zuzanna Pawlikowska to clinch the doubles title after defeating France’s Alyssa Reguer and China’s Yufei Ren 6-2, 7-5 in a captivating final. The Kenyan star returns to action today in the second leg of the tournament, where she is set to face India’s Saumya Vig.
Rogoi emphasised that the team is taking a measured approach. “We are taking it one game at a time. It has been a roller-coaster week, and winning the tournament after coming up short in previous outings has really motivated her. We’ll let things take their natural course as the week progresses,” said Rogoi.
The coach added that there are specific aspects of Okutoyi’s game that they are continuing to refine following the title win. “We had recovery sessions on Monday and Tuesday, and we will tweak a few things to give ourselves the best chance of winning,” he noted.
Rogoi also praised Okutoyi’s adjustment to the slow murram courts at Parklands Sports Club, saying she has grown increasingly comfortable with the conditions. “She adapted well to the surface, feels at home, and the support from the fans has really helped,” he said.
Comments 0
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!