EKUA REFILWE YOURI FINISHES SECOND AT U18 CATALAN TENNIS
BY:Kabelo Seleka
Botswana’s rising teenage tennis star Ekua Refilwe Youri has finished second at the just ended Open Catalan Federation tournament Under 18s in Barcelona, Spain.
Ekua Refilwe Youri won her first qualifying match of the ITF under 18 grade 4 after beating Lojan Shaker of Britain 6-2,6-1.
Subsequently, Ekua Refilwe Youri lost by a tie in the finals against Olga Mishenina 6-2,4-6,10-8.
EKUA REFILWE YOURI EXCITED WITH HER PROGRESS IN TENNIS
In a video call interview, the youngster lamented that she is happy with her progress in tennis. Ekua Refilwe Youri stated that the end goal is to play in the grand slam alongside the likes of Rafael Nadal.
“I am a bit tired right now, but I’m happy with my progress, my goal is to play the grand slam,” shared Ekua Refilwe Youri.
When speaking to SPORTSNATION, Ekua Refilwe Youri’s mother Wendy Molefi-Youri delightfully echoed that she is proud of her daughter. Molefi-Youri stressed that though she is away from her daughter she understands the opportunity of playing tennis in Spain.
“ I am very proud of her and want the best for her. It is not easy living away from home at her age but she knows it’s a great opportunity for her to train and play with the best in the game, stated Molefi-Youri.
BOTSWANA TENNIS GETS RECOGNISED
When quizzed about the excelling of the young star to Botswana tennis, Botswana Tennis Association(BTA) President Oaitse Thipe pointed that her wins abroad are putting Botswana in the map thus luring in investors and sponsors.
“It keeps on the right path to get our players to play grand slam, we have to get the corporate sector to invest in these players before they are big stars,” observed Oaitse Thipe.
Ekua Refilwe Youri is a student-athlete at Barcelona Tennis Academy.
