Van Schalkwyk claims maiden World Tour title
Namibia’s rising tennis prospect Mari van Schalkwyk has made her breakthrough on the World Tennis Junior Tour, claiming her maiden singles title at the J30 Gaborone tournament in Botswana last weekend.
The 16-year-old had previously come close on several occasions. She reached the quarter-finals at J60 Windhoek and J30 Maputo last year before returning to the last eight at the second J30 Maputo tournament and J30 Windhoek earlier this season.
Van Schalkwyk carried that experience into Gaborone, where she lived up to her top seeding by sweeping through the group stage without dropping a set.
She opened with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Zambia’s Mukangwa Brooklyn Siame before beating Spain’s Daniela Mateos 6-3, 6-2.
Van Schalkwyk then served up a 6-0 opening-set bagel against South Africa’s Ava Molyneaux and dropped only one game in a 6-0, 6-1 victory that sent her into the knockout phase.
France’s Ines Foucque provided a sterner examination in the quarter-finals, but the Namibian edged a tight opening set in a tie-break before pulling away to win 7-6(4), 6-2.
She then ground out a 7-5, 6-2 semi-final victory over South Africa’s Kayleigh Stayt to set up an all-Namibian title match against compatriot Joanivia Bezuidenhout.
Veteran tennis commentator Jandre Bezuidenhout described the final as a historic moment for Namibian tennis, saying two Namibians had not previously contested a World Tennis Junior Tour final.
Van Schalkwyk came out on top, defeating her compatriot 6-2, 6-4 to secure her first title on the circuit.
Focus to the finish
Speaking to Sport Wrap yesterday, Van Schalkwyk admitted to feeling nervous before the all-Namibian match-up but said she managed those emotions and remained focused until the final point.
She knew her concentration could not waver, even on match point, because one lapse could allow the contest to swing the other way.
Facing Bezuidenhout, a familiar opponent from Namibia Tennis Association junior and senior tournaments, also brought mixed emotions. Van Schalkwyk said she felt conflicted because she wanted her friend to succeed as well.
“But once I stepped onto the court, my competitive side took over. Afterwards, I felt very emotional because even winning can feel bittersweet when your friend is on the other side [of the net],” she said.
Bezuidenhout’s familiarity with her game made the contest more complicated, particularly because neither player had expected to meet in the singles final.
Nevertheless, Van Schalkwyk said her favourite memory was sharing the week with Bezuidenhout, whom she described as her friend, travel companion, supporter, training partner and doubles partner, and making history together.
Doubles silver
The two Namibians shifted their focus from opponents to partners in the doubles competition.
After receiving a first-round bye, they defeated Britain’s Haniya Arien and Mateos 7-5, 6-4 in the quarter-finals before overcoming South Africans Nina Pieterse and Annemie Isabel Roux in the semi-finals, 6-1, 6-1.
Their run ended in the title match, where they finished runners-up following a 7-5, 6-2 defeat to Botswana’s Angel Maria Chakanyuka and Foucque.
Gaborone marked the fourth time Van Schalkwyk and Bezuidenhout had partnered on the World Tennis Junior Tour. Their previous appearances came at J30 and J60 Windhoek in 2024, while their best earlier result together was a quarter-final finish at J60 Windhoek last year.
Bezuidenhout had already claimed her maiden title on the circuit this season, partnering Zimbabwe’s Rutendo Tom to win the J30 Lusaka doubles on her clay-court debut in June.
“It feels great to have won two silver medals [on the circuit] for both singles and doubles,” she said, describing it as a memorable week for both players.
Bezuidenhout said their strong seedings gave them confidence to “play some great tennis” and make their presence felt at the tournament.
“Obviously, it was a tough loss,” she said of the singles final. “But I knew I had to leave that match in the past and move on to the doubles. We both wanted to do well in the doubles.”
Braver at the net
The pair have teamed up again at the second J30 Gaborone event, which started on Monday and concludes on Saturday. Bezuidenhout said they intend to be braver at the net and more willing to take calculated risks during their latest doubles campaign.
“The team that dominates the net usually has more control over the match. [We’ve] also learned that sometimes it’s okay to go for risky shots and hope for the best, because you never know until you try,” she said.
The pair said they were proud to have shown “what the Land of the Brave can do” while demonstrating to young players at home that competing successfully at that level is possible.
At the time of going to print yesterday, Van Schalkwyk had won both of her completed group-stage matches, beating Botswana’s Camilla Seetso 6-1, 6-2 and South Africa’s Carli Erasmus 6-0, 6-4. The result of her match against Mateos was not yet available.
Bezuidenhout had defeated South Africa’s Keotshepile Moorosi 6-2, 6-1 and Zambia’s Mukangwa Brooklyn Siame 6-1, 6-2. She was due to face South Africa’s Liah Rodriguez yesterday.
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