This archive report was first published on 13 November 2019.
Heavy rains in Nairobi have caused significant disruptions to the International Tennis Federation Juniors tournament, which was set to start on November 9, 2019, and feature 24 countries.
Due to the downpour, the Nairobi club's clay courts have become muddy and impassable, leading organizers to cancel the opening qualifying matches and skip directly to the first round.
Only the first round of matches was played on Monday, November 11, 2019, as preparations for the clay courts continued and players waited for the green light to proceed with the second round, which was initially scheduled to start on Wednesday.
This is the eighth consecutive year that Kenya has hosted the ITF 18 and under tournament, but the lack of all-season tennis courts has proven to be a significant challenge.
Kenya's Whycliffe Okenye, Derick Ominde, and Cynthia Wanjala, along with Angela Okutoyi, were among the players expected to feature in the tournament, but the rain has put their participation in jeopardy.
Players from various countries have expressed their frustration and desperation for the rains to clear, citing the financial burden of traveling to Kenya and the uncertainty surrounding the tournament schedule.
The organizers have stated that they are working to reorganize the matches and accommodate players who are already close to the court, but the situation remains uncertain.
The lack of a reliable drainage system at the Nairobi club's tennis courts has raised questions about the state of sports infrastructure in the country.
Proper drainage systems, such as the French draining system, Channel, and drywell drainage systems, are essential for maintaining tennis courts and preventing damage from water accumulation.
Some of the young talents to watch in the tournament include Alicia Owegi, Roselida Asumwa, Edmond Ogega, and Ryan Ateto, who have shown promise in previous competitions.
