‘My Mum Played Tennis Before She Passed Away’ – Kenyan Tennis Sisters Narrate Stirring Tale as They Look Poised to Carry Venus and Serena Williams’ Legacy Forward

Angella Okutoyi and Roselida Asumwa- two sisters from Kenya, who grew up in poverty but didn’t forget to dream. Their story started in an orphanage after their mother passed away during childbirth. On some days, their meals were just a cup of water. But soon tennis became an escape for the sisters.

Fast forward to 2022, 19-year-old Angella Okutoyi scripted history by becoming the first black African tennis player to win a junior Grand Slam title. She did so at the Wimbledon Championships, winning the girls’ doubles title with Dutch player Rose Marie Nijkamp. In a thrilling final, they defeated the Canadian pair of Kayla Cross and Victoria Mboko 3-6, 6-4, 11-9 to win the title. But who inspired her? It was none other than Venus and Serena Williams.

Kenyan tennis sisters look up to Venus and Serena Williams

Okutoyi and Asumwa came from a humble background and had only the basic facilities to practice tennis. The convent where they lived had a school that had tennis courts. They had family members who played the sport, and that’s how they got into tennis.

In an interview with Olympics.com, Okutoyi said, “That’s how I chose tennis as it was the only sport I was able to see. It was one sport that was always around me. Even before that, our family was playing tennis. My uncle played tennis, my aunt, even my mum played tennis before she passed away. I believe it’s just in us.”

“I can remember holding a big racket and wearing casual shoes and casual clothes, walking to the tennis court and playing.”

Meanwhile, her twin sister is hoping to match the feat of her idol, Venus Williams, and emulate her. Asumwa said, “It was tough for us at the beginning because we didn’t have the right equipment for us to really play well, but we managed to work with what we had.”

Okutoyi is aiming to make it big and aspires to qualify for the Olympics someday. She takes inspiration from Serena Williams, who has won four Olympic gold medals. “She’s (Serena) a fighter, and I’m a fighter on court and I have the willingness to do more, and I believe she does.”

Interestingly, the young star didn’t know about the Olympics until she played in the under-14 team. When she played in the first All-African Games, she learned about the Olympics and how big of a deal it was. Since then, that’s all she dreams about. The athlete wants to represent Kenya on the platform.

Okutoyi’s is inspired by Serena’s story!

The 19-year-old feels that she has a realistic chance to qualify for the Olympics. Recently, she won the gold medal in both singles as well as doubles in the second Nairobi tournament. As a result, she is hoping to improve her WTA ranking. Further, she also has been hugely inspired by the former World Number 1, Serena Williams.

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Talking about her, she said, “Serena Williams’s story is inspiring. What she has achieved throughout her career is unbelievable. Her determination and hard work year in year out is what keeps me going.”

Tennis is considered an elite sport in Kenya. Public tennis courts and accessibility to equipment are difficult. But Angella Okutoyi and Roselida Asumwa are gunning forward with no intentions to stop. Okutoyi is a sophomore at Auburn University. On the other hand, Asumwa studies at Cowley College in Kansas.

Their tough childhood has instilled discipline. With big dreams and great role models, the sisters hope to rise to glory.

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