Okutoyi shifts focus to Singles title
By Charles.Thuku, July 13, 2022After winning a historical doubles crown at the Wimbledon Championships in London at the weekend, Kenya’s lawn tennis prodigy Angela Okutoyi has set her eyes on a singles title at the upcoming US Open.
Okutoyi said she won’t rest until she lays her hands on the singles Open title, adding that the advice she got from Kenya’s celebrated sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala was also invaluable in her breakthrough at Wimbledon.
“I remember when he (Omanyala) kept on telling me to give 150 per cent in my performance and there was no looking back for me,” reminisced Okutoyi.
Grass court
She said Wimbledon is the championships where she played on a grass court for the first time, adding that it was a pleasant experience.
“I played on grass against some of the finest players in the world but after the breakthrough, I told myself that it would be utterly wrong to be carried away by the success. I aso dedicate the win to my grandmother who has always been supportive to me ahead of big-time events,” said Okutoyi.
Back to the upcoming US open, Okutoti said she will try to do all that is required to clinch a singles title at the championships.
“I have won the Wimbledon juniors doubles and winning a singles event will make the breakthrough even sweeter,” said Okutoyi. Okutoyi reiterated that she draws a lot of inspiration from her grandmother in a bid to help her achieve her dream of becoming the world’s tennis number 1.
Coming from a humble family, Okutoyi never knew that she will one day make Kenyans proud. But her performance has not only put Kenya on the global map, but also inspired many upcoming tennis players across the globe.
The reigning African Under 18 Junior Champion who is ranked 57th in the world says her grandmother has been her inspiration in her breakthrough so far.
“She has been my influence and I would want to see her on television sometime celebrating my success,” offered Okutoyi.
Okutoyi’s grandmother Mary Omukuya Ndong’a says she wants to give her granddaughter the assistance she deserves for all the hard work the 18-year-old has put into her craft.