The world’s top rising wheelchair players will turn out across a range of categories at the TSA International Wheelchair Series to be played in Benoni between 27 June and 4 July.
The series, featuring two tournaments to be played in succession, will mark the return of ITF Futures Series tournaments to South Africa for the first time since 2019. Offering a $3,000 (R54,000) prize purse for each tournament, the series will include men’s, women’s, quads, and junior categories.
In the men's division, local favourite Alwande Skhosana - the top-ranked player in Africa and No 34 in the world - will turn out as the top seed. He is up against the likes of No 2 seed Anthony Dittmar of Germany, who won a Futures Series event in Amiens in March, and Ysabelino Apaza Chambilla of Peru, a former winner of the Peru Open, who is seeded third.
In the women's division, Turkish No.1 player Zelihan Aksak, ranked No 52 in the world, will turn out as the firm favourite as the top seed after winning a Future Series tournament in Rabat in February.
The quads division will feature an all-South African field, including experienced players Leon Els making his debut in the category, and Danny Mohlamonyane.
Among the junior players, world No 35 Sthembiso Dladla will be the top seed in the boys category and Lwandiso Mchunu, ranked No 46 in the world, will start as the No 2 seed. Dladla hails from Newcastle and Mchunu is from Escourt, which could give the boys competition a distinct KwaZulu-Natal flavour. Inam Madiloyi, the world No 13, is the top seed in the girls division, and world No 19 Sinazo Momoza will be as eager as her schoolmate to lift the trophy after being drawn as the No 2 seed. Madiloyi and Momoza both attend Ithembelihle LSEN School in Germiston.
The first ITF Futures Series tournament will be played between 27-30 June at Gauteng East Tennis Courts in Benoni, and the second tournament will be contested between 1-4 July at the same venue.
Tennis South Africa (TSA) General Manager, Anthony Moruthane said, “We are excited to welcome the return of the ITF Wheelchair Futures Series to South Africa after a five-year hiatus. The International Wheelchair Series presents a fantastic opportunity to showcase the incredible talent in wheelchair tennis while nurturing the rich talent pipeline within our country. With top-ranked players like Alwande Skhosana and Zelihan Aksak leading the charge, along with exciting junior prospects, the event promises high-level competition.
“This series is about more than just titles and prize money - it’s about inclusivity, growing the sport, and inspiring the next generation of wheelchair tennis players. We extend our gratitude to American Express for their continued support in making this event possible."