Junior tennis player Joanivia Bezuidenhout is set to embark on a month-long tour to Mozambique, running from 26 January to 22 February 2026, as part of her preparations for the 2026 tennis season.

During the tour, Bezuidenhout will train under Mozambican Davis Cup coach Bruno Figueiredo and will also compete in two International Tennis Federation (ITF) World U/18 Junior tournaments. 

These tournaments will be her first competitive outings of the year and will serve as an important benchmark to assess her progress since last season and determine the level she is currently playing at.

Bezuidenhout said the main objective of the tour is to improve her consistency on court while maintaining an aggressive style of play and a strong winning mentality.

“My goals are to play more consistently, stay aggressive in my game and develop a winning mindset,” she said.

She expressed excitement about working with Figueiredo, particularly in improving her serve. Bezuidenhout highlighted that one of the key areas she is eager to learn from the Mozambican coach is the kick-serve.

“I have noticed that coach Figueiredo ‘s players have great kick-serves, and that is one thing I am most excited to learn and bring back home,” Bezuidenhout noted.

In preparation for the international tournaments, Bezuidenhout explained that her training has focused more on match play rather than technical adjustments.

“I had to play a lot of practice matches because I cannot afford to spend too much time on technical things. Match practice must be more than technical training,” she said.

Looking ahead to the tournaments, Bezuidenhout plans to focus on improving her service percentage, particularly during tight matches, as well as hitting the ball deeper with more spin and power.

Competing outside the country often comes with added pressure, but Bezuidenhout remains focused on controlling what she can during matches.

“I am focusing on every point and every ball that comes my way,” she said.

According to Bezuidenhout, international exposure is crucial for young Namibian tennis players, as it contributes significantly to mental growth and helps players learn how to perform under pressure. 

-hnalupe@nepc.com.na