It's time for Okutoyi to give Kenyans a show to remember

Team Kenya's Angella Okutoyi training after unveiling of the team ahead of Billie Jean King cup Africa group III from June 12-17at The Nairobi club. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya is poised to host the prestigious Billie Jean King Cup Africa Group III tournament at the Nairobi Club starting Monday next week.

Wimbledon junior doubles champion Angella Okutoyi has jetted in for the tournament from her base in the United States.

Okutoyi has promised her local fans a show to remember in the event, dubbed the World Cup of Tennis.

The Africa's highest ranked player says her strategy in the tournament will be to fight for more points in each match to increase her chances of progressing to the next rounds and eventually her ultimate crowning.

She believes the exposure she has gained at Auburn University in Alabama, US, where she is pursuing a degree in Business Management has put her among the top contenders for the title in the tournament.

"My experience in the US has been great. I was able to play a lot of matches every week which makes me ready for this challenge," Okutoyi told Standard Sports

"I've gained lots of exposure, I was exposed to the team environment and competitions."

The fact that she will play in front of her family, friends and fans motivates Okutoyi to do even better in the competition.

"I always feel more comfortable playing at home, so I can't wait to see more Kenyans throng Nairobi Club to watch me do my thing. I promise to give them a show to remember," she stated.

"The last tournament I played here was in November and I did good, it will be a similar repeat on home soil next week."

Ahead of the tournament, all the courts at Nairobi Club have been converted from murram to clay but Okutoyi insists she is not bothered.

"I won't be affected, I always practice here before I leave to play on clay abroad, so I'm used to clay, I'm home on clay," she underlined.

Okutoyi says the clay courts will make local players slide even better during tournaments and this makes the game great.

And does she feel any imposing opponent in the forthcoming tournament? She says no. Okutoyi has met almost all the International players who will descend in Nairobi for the Billie Jean King Cup from tomorrow.

"I've played a majority of them so I know their serves, I can tell you I'm not worried at all.

"I won't compare myself to any of them, I will just focus on my game and on what I can do," she said.

While encouraging her team mates to be as ready as she is for the tournament, Okutoyi called upon them to cultivate a winning team spirit which will make them bond tightly.

"I'm also trying to motivate the girls. I'm showing them what to do," Okutoyi stated.

"We are also working on some specific things tactically that can improve our strategy in the tournament."

The Billie Jean King Cup, formerly known as the Fed Cup, is one of the most prestigious international women's tennis competitions and Tennis Kenya is honoured to be entrusted with hosting rights of the Africa Group III matches.