TENNIS NEWS - Sixteen-year-old South African wheelchair tennis junior Mpho Mhlongo from Mohlakeng in Randfontein says wheelchair tennis changed his life.
That’s following his first ever international tournament in France last month.
Mhlongo represented the country at the recent Cruyff Foundation Junior Masters in Tarbes, France together with world number 4 junior Alwande Skhosana, and says the experience was life-changing.
“Wheelchair tennis gave me so much hope and life,” said Mhlongo. “It is through the sport that I got an opportunity to fly for the very first time and travel overseas. I couldn’t believe that I was really travelling to compete abroad.
“I learnt so much in France, gave my best in every match I played, and I was excited to win a match against world number 5 Riauri Logan of Britain. This experience taught me that despite one’s disability, you can still be anything you want to be in life”
Mhlongo, who was awarded a wild card, impressed in his debut at the prestigious junior event. He lost his opener against Conner Stroud 3-6 0-6, staged a stunning fight against Jucelio da Silva Torguato (BRA) but fell to the Brazilian in a captivating match 1-6 6-3 4-6.
