Mathieu Uwizeyimana has said that his win in Goma Tennis Open this week, could be the turning point of his career. The 25-year-old won his first ever title outside the Rwandan boarders and wants to use it as a stepping stone to more success in and outside the country.
Mathieu Uwizeyimana has said that his win in Goma Tennis Open this week, could be the turning point of his career. The 25-year-old won his first ever title outside the Rwandan boarders and wants to use it as a stepping stone to more success in and outside the country.
"This win has given me more belief that I can compete against any opponent in the region. Winning here (Goma) means a lot to my confidence ahead of next season,” he said on Wednesday.
The five-day tournament attracted three countries including Rwanda, Burundi and Congo. Rwanda was represented by three players—Uwizeyimana, Etienne Niyigena and Anatole Bizimana.
Bizimana and Niyigena both lost in the first round and semi-finals respectively. Uwizeyimana defeated Burundian, Michael Ngarukiye in the first round and last year’s champion Boney Kasusule in the semi-finals.
Uwizeyimana, ranked number three in Rwanda, has participated in various regional ITF-sanctioned competitions but had never won any title. His only other trophy in 2014 was Liberation Day tournament in July.
In 2012 and 2013 he participated in Kenya open and Tanzania men’s circuit but he lost in the initial stages of the tournament.
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