Angela Okutoyi’s head coach Francis Rogoi has laughed off the possibility of other competitors beating the Kenyan international in the Kenya Open Tournament slated for August 7th to 13th.
This comes after Okutoyi reigned supreme at the International Tennis Federation World Women’s Tournament held last Sunday in Monastir, Tunisia.
Following her victory, Okutoyi became the second Kenyan to ever win a professional tennis singles title after Paul Wekesa who won the title in 1994.
Rogoi showed confidence the youngster will defend the Kenya Open title she won in 2018 when she was only 14 years.
“I am familiar with the event, and I know Okutoyi will easily cruise. It is just a delayed victory. She should take the title as usual.”
“The tournament (International Tennis Federation World Women’s Tournament) she won was the biggest tournament we were targeting, and it is a pacesetter for the Kenya Open,” noted Rogoi.
Despite Okutoyi climbing 60 places into position 1152 in the latest global Women’s Tennis Association singles rankings, Rogoi believes more is yet to come from the youngster who has spent most of her time in school this year.
“Okutoyi could have a higher ranking by now. She has been in college and has not been participating in major tournaments to gain maximum points,” said Rogoi.
Kenya Open returns after a four-year hiatus occasioned by a lack of sponsors and the Covid 19 pandemic.
Winners of the tournament will pocket 75,000 shillings in the men’s and women’s singles, while doubles winners will walk away with 12,000 shillings.
Okutoyi is expected in the country today to gear up for the tournament.
