Centre Court Series returns to Curro Hillcrest with world-class tennis action
24 June 2025Some of South Africa’s top emerging tennis players are preparing to serve, rally and sprint their way through three high-impact weeks at the Curro Centre Court Series, hosted at Curro Hillcrest from 30 June to 20 July 2025. This International Tennis Federation (ITF)-recognised event returns in partnership with Tennis South Africa, bringing professional competition to local courts and offering ranking points, prize money and global exposure to players from home and abroad.
A stacked calendar of pro-level matches
The 2025 series features both men’s and women’s events across three consecutive weeks. It begins with a W15 and M25 tournament from 30 June to 6 July, followed by a W35 and M15 event from 7 to 13 July. The final week, from 14 to 20 July, rounds off the action with another W15 and M15 competition.
Spectators can expect intense match play as local and international players battle for ranking points and prize money. From the opening serve to the final match point, the Centre Court Series has become a key fixture in South Africa’s sporting calendar.
Local talent takes the spotlight
Among the standout names competing this year is Devin Badenhorst, now representing Baylor University in the USA. Devin captured his first Centre Court Series title at Curro Hillcrest and returns alongside Phillip Henning, a three-time winner and South African Davis Cup player. Also competing are Leo Matthysen (18), a Davis Cup player, and Khololwam Montsi, a former Davis Cup representative and Centre Court Series champion now based at the University of Oklahoma.
The women’s draw features some of the country’s top juniors. Danielle Chapman, who reached the Round of 16 in 2024 at just 14 years old, is back with more experience. She is joined by Jahnie van Zyl, who reached both quarterfinals last year and recently played at the Junior French Open. Representing the host school, Grace Koenig, now in matric at Curro Hillcrest, will compete alongside Donna le Roux, an 18-year-old Billie Jean King Cup team member who earned her first WTA points at this tournament in 2024.
Global presence builds tournament prestige
International players will again raise the level of competition. Aziz Dougaz (TUN), Benjamin Lock (ZIM), and Marc Polmans (AUS) add power to the men’s draw. On the women’s side, Elena Jamshidi (DEN), a finalist in Stellenbosch earlier this year, will compete alongside Michika Ozeki (JPN), Ksenia Laskutova (RUS), and Darja Suvirdjonkova (SRB).
Quotes from event leaders
‘We’re incredibly excited to bring the Centre Court Series back to Curro Hillcrest for another three weeks of world-class tennis. This tournament has become a key event in our sporting calendar and seeing the calibre of international and local talent it continues to attract is truly remarkable. It's particularly rewarding to witness how our South African players have embraced this platform, claiming seven out of ten singles titles since the inaugural shows the incredible potential we have right here at home,’ said Cindy van der Merwe, Portfolio Manager, Curro Sport.
In 2023, the Centre Court Series received an official ITF Player Recognition Star for outstanding tournament delivery—an honour that signals the tournament’s growing global stature.
‘These ITF World Tour tournaments play a very important role in the player pathway, where they provide our junior players with a vital stepping stone to transition onto the professional tour, which is very critical. They also offer our local players the invaluable opportunity to gain exposure to international competition, earn ranking points, and compete for prize money on home soil without the cost of traveling abroad. On behalf of Tennis South Africa, I would like to thank Curro Holdings for making these events possible and for their continuous support and commitment to the development of tennis in South Africa. Hosting these events not only elevates the standard of the game but also helps develop champions. We are able to develop champions through this kind of competition and inspire the next generation of South African tennis stars,’ says Anthony Moruthane, Tennis South Africa General Manager.
A platform for careers to take flight
Since its inception, the series has seen South African players secure seven out of ten singles titles, validating the importance of local high-level competition. As young athletes chase international careers, events like this help close the gap between junior and professional tennis.
‘This series represents our commitment to developing South African tennis talent while offering world-class sporting entertainment. We are proud to provide a platform where local champions arise and international careers take flight, and we look forward to seeing who will make their mark at this year’s Centre Court Series,’ concludes Cindy.