Sikhosana dominates Amex wheelchair tennis series

Africa's top-ranked player, Alwande Sikhosana, was the star performer during the Amex Wheelchair Tennis Series held at Gauteng East Tennis Courts in Benoni between 27 June and 4 July.

Over the two tournaments that were contested, with South Africa hosting ITF Futures events for the first time since 2019, local favourite Sikhosana earned the men's singles and doubles titles, lifting four trophies with a dominant all-round effort.

In the first tournament, top seed Sikhosana beat No 2 seed Anthony Dittmar of Germany 6-2 6-0 to secure the title, and while Dittmar put up more of a fight in the second event, Sikhosana won the final 6-1 7-5.

And in the men's doubles, Sikhosana paired up with compatriot Mpho Mhlongo to defeat Mayenzeke Gwija and Luwie Mabelane in both finals.

Sikhosana said he was delighted to have the opportunity to gain international ranking points on home soil, rather than having to travel to other countries to climb the global list.

"It felt absolutely amazing to win these titles back-to-back, which were my first titles of the 2025 season. I think for me, as the top seeded player, it was really important to collect as many points as possible to help improve my ranking, which I think is my biggest priority right now.

"Of course, playing on home soil for the first time in six years really had an impact because I had all the support and also home ground advantage, and I think for me the most important thing is that I wish in future we have more of these tournaments.

"It doesn't really cost us much to play and accumulate the points we need to improve our international rankings because every time we need to do that we have to travel to Europe and it actually costs us a lot.

"So I was really happy to win on home soil and I hope we can have more of these tournaments here."

Among the women, 19-year-old Turkish player Zeliah Aksak won both singles finals.

In the first tournament she beat Ntsuku Ndlovu 6-3 6-3, and at the second event she swept past Nokwanda Hlongwane to secure a 6-2 6-2 victory.

Hlongwane did emerge triumphant, however, in the women's doubles division in both tournaments.

She teamed up with 18-year-old Bridget Malepe and the duo defeated top seeds Inam Madiloyi and Khopolo Motebang in both finals.

In other categories, all players who won the first competition went on to win again at the second event.

Leon Els won the quad singles, Malepe triumphed in the girls singles, and Pheeha Machaka earned victories in the boys singles.

In the boys doubles, Machaka and Orenetse Podile lifted both trophies.