Kigali is once again hosting the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors (Grade 4) over the next two weeks. The tournament, under the J60 category, features Boys’ and Girls’ Singles (main draw and qualifying) and Doubles (main draw). The tournament’s first week kicks off at IPRC-Kigali Ecology Tennis Courts on Monday, August 4 and will run through August 10, followed by the second week which will take place from August 11-16. At least 10 Rwandan players, including seven boys and three girls, made it to the tournament main draw. Representing the country in the girls’ category are Thierrine Ineza, Kenzy Kabanda, and Charissa Mugabo Shejan while the boys’ contingent includes King Onyx Umuhoza, Elyse Igiraneza, Edson Nshimiyimana, Gedeon Murinzi, Calvin Habiyambere, Wesley Shema, Gedekia Niyibizi, and Kevin Rutayisire. Day one of the tournament will see Rwanda’s Elyse Igiraneza face Italian Ricardo Pantigia at the center court as Gedeon Murinzi takes on Itamar Ronen of Israel. King Onyx Umuhoza battles Evan Saha from India, and Kevin Rutayisire goes up against American Eaden Zack Harron. The latter was in Kigali in April-May where he won both weeks of the J30 tournament. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s Thierry Ntwali receives international trailblazer award Later in the morning, Wesley Shema will play against Matteo Santoro from Italy. Edson Nshimiyimana will challenge Japan’s Kazuki Nakajima, followed by Gedekia Niyibizi who will face Joshua Oliver from Switzerland. Lincoln Nshuti is set to take on Swiss Alexander Groet, before Calvin Habiyambere concludes the day’s action against Callian Asante Ndilima of Ireland. In the 2024 edition of the tournament, Canada’s Jay Lin Gibson claimed the Boys’ Singles title after defeating Poland’s Wiktor Jez in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4. In the Girls’ Singles, Tunisia’s Nadine Hamrouni emerged victorious with a dominant 6-0, 6-2 win over Romina Dominguez Garcia of Mexico.
