Two of South Africa's most promising young tennis players will take on the global elite in their age group later this month, with Jahnie van Zyl and Connor Doig having been accepted into the qualifying draw for the Roland Garros Junior Championships.
The prestigious tournament will be held between 29 May and 7 June in Paris, in conjunction with the French Open, which will be the second Grand Slam tournament of the year.
Van Zyl, the top South African girl in the TSA U-16 combined rankings, is currently 151st in the ITF junior girls rankings.
The 16-year-old player will fancy her chances of progressing to the main draw in Paris, as she looks to take a big step forward in a blossoming career which has already seen her securing two singles and three ITF junior titles.
Doig will also be eager to put up a fight against the world's rising tennis stars in the boys' competition at Roland Garros.
The 17-year-old player, lying 68th in the ITF junior boys rankings, has showcased his potential in recent years by winning five junior titles (four singles and one doubles).
At the Australian Open Junior Championships earlier this season, Doig reached the round of 64 in singles and the round of 32 in doubles, and he will hope to build on that momentum in Paris.
Meanwhile, South Africa's wheelchair tennis stars Kgothatso Montjane and Donald Ramphadi - both previous doubles champions at the clay-court Grand Slam - will compete in the Roland Garros wheelchair main draw, continuing their impressive careers on one of tennis's biggest stages.
"On behalf of Tennis South Africa, we wish Doig and Van Zyl all the best at Roland Garros," said TSA General Manager Anthony Moruthane.
"Their participation in this prestigious tournament is an indication that tennis development in South Africa is on the right track. It’s fantastic to see more junior players competing at Grand Slam events.
"As always, we are also proud to have our world-class wheelchair tennis stars, Kgothatso Montjane and Donald Ramphadi, who will also be representing South Africa in the Roland Garros wheelchair main draw. Their continued excellence inspires us all."