Hosting ATP Challenger 75 and 100: Rwanda must prove past success was no fluke

Kigali is set to become a stage for international tennis once again, with Rwanda being awarded the rights to host two prestigious ATP Challenger events – the ATP Challenger 75 and ATP Challenger 100. Scheduled to run one after the other from February 24 to March 9, the tournaments will be held at the Kicukiro Ecology Tennis Club, promising a show of high-class tennis and raising Rwanda’s profile in the global sporting scene. The tournaments are expected to be a significant upgrade from the Rwanda Challenger 50 held in 2024, which garnered praise for seamless organisation and high level competition. Both events, with a combined prize pool of $175,000 (approximately Rwf 244 million), will attract seasoned professionals and rising stars eager to secure valuable ATP ranking points. The ATP Challenger Tour is the second-highest tier of tennis competition, behind the ATP Tour and ahead of the ITF World Tennis Tour tournaments. Players who succeed on the ATP Challenger Tour earn ranking points to enter the main or qualifying draws at ATP Tour tournaments. Participants in the Challenger Tour are often young players looking to promote their careers. They include those who fail to qualify for ATP events, or former ATP Tour players looking to return to the top tour. It is official, Kigali will host both ATP Challenger 75 and ATP Challenger 100, Theoneste Karenzi, president of the Rwanda Tennis Federation (RTF) confirmed in an interview with Times Sport. These tournaments represent a new milestone in Rwanda’s commitment to developing tennis and bringing global sporting events to our country, he added. The success of the ATP Challenger 50 in 2024 laid a strong foundation for this leap forward. The inaugural tournament, which attracted over 60 players from 25 countries, was an overwhelming success, setting a new standard for tennis events in Sub-Saharan Africa. With players from around the world—including Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak, who triumphed in the first week, and Argentina’s Marco Trungelliti, who claimed victory in the second week—competing on Rwandan soil, the tournament was a true testament to the country’s potential as a host. The experience gained from the Rwanda Challenger 50 will prove invaluable in ensuring that the upcoming ATP Challenger 75 and 100 events are even more successful. At least that's the general prayer. One of the key lessons learned from the inaugural event was the importance of seamless coordination among all stakeholders—organisers, government, sponsors, and local communities. Lest we forget, the Rwanda Tennis Federation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and various partners, put together an event that ran smoothly from start to finish, beyond expectations. Most importantly, the players' positive feedback underscored the success of the tournament, with many expressing admiration for the organisation, hospitality, and the quality of the playing environment, on and off the court. Rwanda Challenger (is) probably the best environment I have ever played in, remarked Trungelliti, who hinted on the likelihood of returning to Kigali this year. The attention to detail—from the well-maintained courts to the high level of security and hospitality—was a major factor in the tournament’s success. The participation of high-profile guests, including President Paul Kagame and French tennis legend Yannick Noah, also helped boost the tournament's credibility and visibility. For the upcoming tournaments, Rwanda is poised to leverage these lessons to elevate the experience even further. However, one of the critical areas of focus will be improving the facilities at the Kicukiro Ecology Tennis Club, further ensuring they meet the standards expected by higher ranked ATP professionals. Also, Rwanda's commitment to hosting a top-tier event will be demonstrated through improved logistical support, player accommodation, and media coverage, ensuring that all aspects of the tournament run as smoothly as possible. What is more is that while the country’s tennis infrastructure has made remarkable strides, Rwanda's commitment to nurturing home-grown talent will also be on display. Local players such as Ernest Habiyambere, Joshua Muhire, Junior Hakizwumwani, Claude Ishyimwe, and Etienne Niyigena will be among those vying for wildcard entries to the upcoming tournaments. Despite the odds being stacked against the home players to make any significant impact, their mere participation offers a chance for Rwandan tennis enthusiasts to see their stars compete against some of the best in the world. Though Rwandan players are not expected to qualify directly for the main draws due to their lack of ATP ranking points, their inclusion in the event as wildcard entries, will add a home-grown flavour and inspire future generations. The experience that local players gain from rubbing shoulders with international opponents is priceless, and the exposure to world-class competition can only do them the world of good. The successful execution of the 2024 Rwanda Challenger 50 demonstrated Rwanda's capability to attract international attention and investment in sport. The feedback from players has been overwhelmingly positive, and this helps set the stage for even more high-profile tournaments in the future, said Karenzi last year. Last year, players came from different countries including France, Russia, Israel, Argentina, USA, Romania, Croatia, Austria, Zimbabwe, Netherlands, Egypt, Burundi, Tunisia, Switzerland, Nepal, India, Nigeria and Italy among others. In addition to showcasing top-level tennis, these tournaments will further solidify Rwanda’s status as a hub for international sports events, positioning the country as an ideal destination for future competitions across various disciplines. The country is set to host the 2025 UCI World Road Championships in September, while preparations to organise a Formula1 Grand Prix in Kigali in the coming years are already underway. Therefore, as the ATP Challenger 75 and 100 tournaments approach, Rwanda stands ready to prove that its success in hosting the Challenger 50 was no fluke.