Raguin targets the Grand Slam
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday June 8, 2024 06:00
Raguin is making rapid progress after the 15-year-old won his second J30 International Tennis Federation (ITF) title in Kampala, Uganda, last week. Raguin won the singles title by beating Indian player, Nishit Arimilli 7-6, 6-2. Speaking to MmegiSport, BTA president, Oaitse Thipe, said the plan is for Raguin to play the Grand Slam next year. “Raguin’s win means an improvement in his ITF rankings together with Mark Nawa’s after reaching the semi-final in the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors 2024 in Pretoria last week. Unfortunately for Nawa, it is his last year as an Under-18 player, he needs to push more quickly in order to reach the top 100,” he said. Raguin was ranked number 615 (Thursday) in the world and he is number two in Botswana. His rankings are likely to rise to 500 after reaching the quarterfinals in the singles and semi-finals in the doubles at the ongoing ITF World Tennis Tour J30 in Kampala.
Thipe said Raguin still has age on his side. If he progresses well by January, he could play in the junior Australian Open in 2025. He said the player is a BTA prospect to play in the 2027 Youth Olympics, paving the way for future participation at the Olympics. Meanwhile, Thipe said all is not lost on the women's side as they are expected to pull all the stops at the Billie Jean Cup Group III Africa in Nairobi, Kenya from June 10. Kenya won the hosting rights for the 2024 edition over Burundi. Kenya and Burundi were the only countries that placed bids to stage the top-tier African competition. The tournament's winner will gain promotion to the 2025 Billie Jean Cup Europe/Africa Group II.
The Botswana team is boosted by the presence of the Spain-based, Ekua Refilwe Youri, who has been training in Barcelona after her season at the University of San Antonio. Thipe said after the Kenya tournament, Youri will play professional tournaments in Durban and hopefully the Botswana Open. “Youri has been doing well. Her university refused to release her for the African Games saying that they needed her in their team,” he said. Leungo Monnayoo is also expected to bring her expertise to the team from the Meridian Community College in Mississippi (USA). Other team members are Chelsea Chakanyuka and Kelebogile Monnayoo. The team left for Nairobi on Wednesday.