A group of 10 young Rwandan tennis players, comprising eight boys and two girls, is set to represent the nation at the upcoming ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors/Grade 4 tournament. The international competition, exclusively for players under 18, will take place at the IPRC Kigali courts from August 12 to 24. It will span two weeks, with matches scheduled for August 12-17 and August 19-24. ALSO READ: Hakizumwami lands tennis scholarship in France Rwandan players at the showpiece include Junior Hakizumwami, Claude Ishimwe, Elysé Igiraneza, King Onyx Umuhoza, Gédéon Murinzi, Calvin Habiyambere, and Brian Karenzi in the boys' category, while in the girls' category, the country will be represented by Thierrine Ineza and Melissa Bimenyimana. This year’s tournament has attracted several top players, including Burundian Allan Gatoto, Canadian Jay Lin Gibson, and Polish players Wiktor Jez and Juliusz Stanczyk. The ITF organises such junior tournaments to help young players earn points that contribute to their rankings as professional tennis players. The winner of the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors/Grade 4 will receive 60 points, while the runner-up will earn 36 points, and the semifinalists will get 18 points. Players who reach the quarterfinals will earn 10 points, and those who make it to the round of 16 will receive five points. This is the second consecutive year that Rwanda has hosted the tournament.
