Namibia’s leading junior tennis star Connor van Schalkwyk has been invited to form part of this year’s Grand Slam Player Development Programme (GSPDP) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) U/18 A-Team, that will soon be competing in various major junior events such as the Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Van Schalkwyk, who this year became the first Namibian junior to compete at a Junior Grand Slam since the late Suzelle Davin last competed at the 2006 Wimbledon, impressed many international pundits with his courageous performance at this year’s Australian Open Junior Championships. 

His invitation was confirmed by the Namibia Tennis Association (NTA).

The Australian Open Junior Championships took place in January this year and saw Van Schalkwyk falling short of reaching the second round when he crashed out by straight sets against Japan’s Lennon Roark Jones, despite putting up a gallant display. 

With the latest invitation to join the GSPDP/ITF International U/18 A-Team for their European trek, which will run from 4 May to 11 July, the 17-year-old Van Schalkwyk has been accorded another golden opportunity to strut his stuff on the international circuit.

After his historic Australian Open Junior Championships participation earlier this year, an optimistic Van Schalkwyk indicated that he plans to continue making his mark on the international tennis arena and hoisting the Namibian flag high.

“Being at a Junior Grand Slam is something I looked forward to and worked really hard for. I am proud to be the first Namibian junior since 2006 to compete at a Junior Grand Slam. It really makes me feel proud as I like representing my country and have done so since an early age. I hope I can do it for many more years. I never thought I would play at the same Grand Slam as Rafael Nadal. This is further confirmation that I want to take my tennis as far as possible, and one day play at a senior Grand Slam,” said Van Schalkwyk after the Australian Open Junior Championships.

Amongst the competitions awaiting Van Schalkwyk and his teammates are the Roland Garros Junior Championships, which takes place from 29 May to 5 June, and the renowned Wimbledon Junior Championships slated to take place between 2 and 10 July.

Other competitions on the radar of the GSPDP/ITF International U/18 A-Team include the ITA J1 Santa Croce Sull’Arno, the ITA JA Milan, the J1 Nottingham and the J1 Roehampton, all taking place between the months of May and July. - ohembapu@nepc.com.na