24 Apr 2025

Botswana has made a significant leap in the African tennis rankings, achieving the eighth position among the top 10 in the under 14, 16, and 18 categories. 

With a total of 383 points, 268 points were garnered  in singles play and 80 points in doubles. Leading the rankings is Morocco with an impressive 2 100 points, followed by Tunisia and Egypt with 1 440 and 1 420 points, respectively. South Africa ranks fourth with 898 points, with Nigeria in fifth at 652 points, while Zimbabwe and Algeria round out the list with 450 and 431 points, respectively.

When examined regionally, North Africa holds the top spot with a combined total of 5 571 points, followed by Southern Africa with 1 857 points, and Western Africa in third place with 641 points. Eastern Africa and Central Africa trail in fourth and fifth with 421 and 168 points, respectively.

According to the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT), the 2025 final national rankings were established based on the cumulative points accrued by each nation in both singles and doubles events for both boys and girls. 

The ranking takes into account results from the African Championships for ages 18, 16, and the inaugural Africa Junior Championships for under 14s held in 2025.

“In addition, bonus points from the second AJC for 14 years and under, organized in the fourth quarter of 2024, have also been included,” the CAT report stated.

The ranking system considers only the top eight singles results and the top eight individual doubles results for each nation, with a cap of two results per age group and gender.

Botswana Tennis Association President, Oaitse Thipe, expressed  satisfaction with the achievement, noting the country’s improvement from the previous rankings where Botswana placed 10^th.

Thipe highlighted the contributions of rising players, including Malak Macheng and Tinashe Phatshwane, in bolstering Botswana’s standing. “We also saw Ntungamili Raugin performing exceptionally well last week, winning gold in doubles and silver in singles, which contributed to our eighth-place finish,” he remarked.

Thipe is optimistic about the prospects of the upcoming under 12 and 14 groups. He said that Botswana would host a continental tournament in June, aimed at providing under 14 players with essential exposure and an opportunity to qualify for the second AJC, scheduled to be played on hard courts in September. ENDS