Johannesburg, South Africa – The South African under 16 boys tennis team has qualified for the Junior Davis Cup Finals.
The team comprising of Richard Thongoana, Joshua-Howard Tripp and Bertus Kruger secured a spot in the Junior Davis Cup Finals to be played in Spain in September this year after completing a clean sweep against Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt in last week’s Africa Junior Tennis Team Championships in Cairo, Egypt.
“The boys only dropped two sets in all the matches and showcased their dominance against tough opposition on the Clay courts of Egypt.” Said team coach Allan Karam. “The team is well balanced and the players worked hard in all matches and showed incredible self-belief when there were moments of adversity, they managed to come back in certain situations where the score did not favor them” added Karam.
“I am delighted for the players as this is an incredible achievement for them and for tennis in the country. The hard work now starts and preparation for Spain will start immediately.”
Tennis South Africa President and acting CEO Gavin Crookes said “It is with a great deal of pride and satisfaction that I, on behalf of Tennis South Africa, congratulate our boys Richard, Joshua and Bertus for winning this year’s African Junior Championships. Even more commendable in this achievement is the fact that this team has now deservedly earned the right to participate in the Junior Davis Cup Finals later this year. At this event the top under 16 boys Teams from sixteen countries around the world participate – it is particularly gratifying to know that our young South African players have the ability and talent to be up there with the best in the world. This bodes well for the future of tennis in South Africa.
I know I speak for everyone in wishing our Team well and assure them of South Africa’s unqualified support in Spain.”
The Junior Davis Cup Finals will be played from 28 September to 3 October 2015 in Madrid, Spain. The tournament will see 16 different countries competing for the ultimate prize of being crowned the top junior tennis players in the world.
The South African team is as follows:
1. Richard Thongoana
2. Joshua Howard Tripp
3. Bertus Kruger
Captain – Allan Karam