Online Reporter
Media Mpofu
AKEELAH Khanye and Minenhle Moyo, two rising tennis talents from Riverdale Academy, are gaining momentum on the international junior circuit after standout performances at the ITF J60 and ITF J100 tournaments in Harare.
Khanye reached the third round of the ITF J60 singles, while Moyo advanced to the second round of the ITF J100 singles, both strong results in highly competitive draws.
Their doubles performance was equally impressive. The pair reached the quarterfinals of the ITF J100 doubles, falling 6-3, 6-2 to Lei Mailoudi of China and her Tunisian partner in a hard fought match that stretched nearly two and a half hours.
Despite the loss, Khanye said she was proud of how they played.
“Reaching the third round in the J60 and second in the J100 was a great experience for us. Competing against top-notch opponents pushed us to our limits, and making it to the quarterfinals was an incredible achievement,” she said.
Their progress in these ITF-sanctioned events marks an important step toward international recognition, opening doors to ranking points, potential grants, and prize money that can help support their athletic development.
Next, the pair heads to Gaborone, Botswana, for back-to-back tournaments in the ITF J30 series. The first leg runs from August 11 to 18, followed immediately by the second from August 18 to 23.
With each tournament, Khanye and Moyo are gaining valuable experience and exposure, and both are focused on building momentum.
