Kenyan tennis player Angella Okutoyi says she has not given up hope of playing at the Paris Olympics, which would fulfil a “childhood dream”.
Despite winning the 2023 African Games title in Accra in March, the 20-year-old fell short of the required top-400 world ranking which she needed to reach by 10 June to secure a berth at the Olympics.
She was 503rd in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings on the cut-off date, and has since climbed seven places.
Okutoyi’s team have appealed to the International Tennis Federation (ITF). They claim that, because the African Games were delayed by seven months, she did not have enough time to get the rankings points she needed to fulfil qualification criteria.
As they await the decision, Okutoyi has told the BBC what being at an Olympics would mean to her.
“That has always been my childhood dream, just to see myself in the Olympics, be an Olympian and come out with some silverware,” she told Sportshour on the BBC World Service.
“I would say the Olympics is a huge event, huger than the Grand Slams. It’s so big.”
Okutoyi’s appeal to the ITF comes after two high-profile women’s players withdrew from the Games because of concerns over their workload.
Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, the world number 10, and world number three Aryna Sabalenka will not compete in Paris in order to prioritise their health.
The BBC has contacted the ITF to see when a decision will be made on Okutoyi’s appeal but, until an announcement comes, she is still dreaming of rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s greatest athletes at the Olympics.
“It’s just a unique event where you travel with your team-mates and get to be surrounded by the greats from each different field,” Okutoyi said.
“That’s something you never get to see or be around.
“So I’d just be happy to see myself at the Olympics and represent my country.”
From humble beginnings to Wimbledon champion
Okutoyi made headlines when she won the girls’ doubles title at Wimbledon in 2022 with her Dutch partner Rose Marie Nijkamp to become the first Kenyan to become a Grand Slam champion.
She has proved inspirational for sportsmen and women across the continent, not only because of her achievements on court, but also for her struggles off it.
Okutoyi and her sister Rosie began life in an orphanage and were raised by their grandmother Mary. She adopted them after their mother died in childbirth.
“My life growing up wasn’t easy,” she said.
“I come from a humble background and we didn’t have much. Some days I used to train without eating and only have a cup of water at night.
“My grandmother didn’t have much, but she wanted to take care of us. She loved us. She used to work as a cleaner at the school, that’s where we used to live.
“She had to take care of five kids and she wasn’t earning that much. But she had to take care of all of us, paying our school fees, feeding, all of that.
“And it would definitely mean a lot for my grandmother to see me at the Olympic Games.”
Tennis ‘not just for the rich’
Okutoyi hopes that if her appeal to the ITF is successful, playing at an Olympics will show that tennis is a sport for all, not just the elite.
“It’s definitely going to change this perspective of people that tennis is for the rich,” she said.
“I didn’t come from that background and I’m able to play at the highest level and [possibly] be at the Olympics.
“I’m always happy to inspire the young kids. Because if you now come to Kenya and see the kids who are playing, there are people who don’t have money, and it’s just nice to see.
“People who come from humble backgrounds, they want to do it and they know that it’s going to take them somewhere.
“Them seeing me playing and wherever it’s taking me, it motivates them.”
The Serena effect
After winning her Wimbledon title two years ago, Angella decided to go through the American collegiate system rather than turning professional and joined Alabama-based Auburn University.
“I wasn’t financially stable. So I just thought college was the right path for me. And it’s going to develop my tennis even more,” she said.
American tennis legend Serena Williams has proved to be a huge inspiration for Okutoyi as she continues her rise up the tennis ladder.
And Okutoyi has this message for the 23-time Grand Slam champion.
“You really inspired me and you’re the reason why I still keep playing tennis,” she said.
“You’ve shown that your background doesn’t determine where you’re going to go.
“You’re a fighter and fearless on the court. You mean so much to me and also to Africa. You inspire African tennis players a lot.
“There are so many words to describe you. But all in all, you’re the great, and we all want to be like you one day.
“Thank you for inspiring me and everyone in Africa and in Kenya.”
