Okutoyi now sets sights on US Open after Wimbledon victory

Angella Okutoyi and her twin sister Roselida Asumwa (left) during award of life time memberships at Karen Golf and Country Club in Nairobi for their outstanding performance in tennis. Aug 17, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

After her Wimbledon Junior Girls' Doubles victory, Kenyan tennis star Angella Okutoyi has sets her sights on the fourth leg of the 2022 ITF Grand Slam series, the US Open slated for August 29-September 11 in New York City.

The reigning Kenya Open champion has assured the country that she is going for nothing short of victory in America in the doubles.

"I'm definitely going for a next title. I have no worry in the doubles," she told Standard Sports in Nairobi yesterday.

"My target in the US Open in the singles is to have an impressive finish. To be honest, I have not been doing great in the category lately but my victory in Wimbledon in June has returned back the confidence.

She continued: "Winning the Wimbledon has given me the extra belief that I can also do well in both singles and the doubles.

"The victory reinforced in me a positive mind and great courage that I can also do it better like other stars and world beaters out there."

Before stepping on US soil, the 18-year old former Africa double Junior champion will head to Canada on Monday, depending on the availability of the visa, for the ITF's J1 Repentigny Championships which she will use as a build up for the US Open.

She recently participated in the W15 Monastir Championships in Tunisia, an ITF World Tennis Tour tournament which was also part of her preparations for the US.

"My target in Canada is to reach the semis, though my eyes are on the trophy. I believe I'm going for the win," she underscored.

Ahead of the two high level international championships, Okutoyi said she is spending more time in the gym to add power and stamina to her muscles. She believes this will key to victory in the tournaments.

Her journey to become a world beater in tennis has been boosted by the Karen Golf and Country Club that yesterday gave her and her twin sister, Roselida Asumwa, an unlimited membership access to the Nairobi-based golf club. This means the duo can now access the tennis courts, the gym, the swimming pool and the 4.5km hiking path at Karen for free.

"We have also issued them with a preloaded membership card for food and drinks. They will be able to drink and dine with their specified next of kin," Bob Onyango, the Karen Golf and Country Club General Manager, stated.

While hailing the kind gesture, Okutoyi said they feel honoured to be officially part of a members club.

"This means my sister and I will have more time on the tennis court as compared to the Nairobi Club where we were based. We will enjoy playing the game and have adequate practice time," she said.

"The unlimited access to the gym will help us to work on our physical strengths since where we are now headed in tennis needs us to be strong physically and mentally."

Okutoyi, who made it to the third round of the 2022 Australian Open Juniors, is very hopeful that the kind gesture by the Karen Golf and Country Club will mould them into stars to reckoned with in tennis in the near future.

"I'm hopeful that one day, I will be able to partner with my sister Asumwa in a high level international event like the way the Williams sisters Serena and Venus do," she stated.