In February and March 2024, Rwanda made history as the first Sub-Saharan African nation to host an ATP Challenger event.
The 'ATP Challenger 50 Tour' featured over 60 players ranked 150th and higher worldwide, marking a significant milestone for tennis in the region.
On January 14, 2025, the Rwanda Tennis Federation announced that the 'ATP Challenger 75 Tour' and 'ATP Challenger 100 Tour' will be held from February 24 to March 1, 2025, and March 3 to March 9, 2025, respectively.
The first tournament, the ATP Challenger 75 Tour, will award 75 ranking points to the champion, while the ATP Challenger 100 Tour in the second week will offer 100 points.
Both tournaments are part of the ATP Challenger Tour, a platform designed for players aiming to improve their rankings and qualify for ATP Tour and Grand Slam events.
The 2024 ATP Challenger 50 Tour in Rwanda was a resounding success, with Poland's Kamil Majchrzak defeating Argentina's Marco Trungelliti in straight sets (6-4, 6-4) to claim the title.
The final match saw an illustrious audience, including President Paul Kagame, First Lady Jeannette Kagame, ATP Challenger Tour Director Eric Lamquet, Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) President Jean Claude Talon, Rwandan Tennis Federation President Théoneste Karenzi, and tennis legend Yannick Noah, the 1983 Roland Garros champion.
The ATP Challenger Tour has been a springboard for some of the biggest names in tennis.
Players like Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, ranked world No. 3, and former world No. 1 stars such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Roddick, all rose through the Challenger circuit.
Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, also began his journey in the series.
Rwanda's continued involvement in hosting these tournaments reinforces its position as a key destination for professional tennis in Africa, fostering the growth of the sport and inspiring the next generation of players.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/top-tennis-players-set-for-atp-challenger-75-and-100-in-rwanda
