Week one of the Curro Centre Court Series concluded yesterday, with Khololwam Montsi and Polina Leykina claiming the singles titles as the tournament returned to Curro Hillcrest in partnership with Tennis South Africa.

Montsi won an all-South African men’s final, beating compatriot Devin Badenhorst 7-5, 6-4 to lift the trophy. Both players carried strong form into the championship match, ending the opening week with an all-local final.

In the women’s singles, Russia’s Polina Leykina beat Switzerland’s Jenny Duerst 6-4, 6-4. Leykina showed a complete game throughout the tournament, with composure at the net and from the baseline. At least 200 spectators attended the final, adding to the atmosphere at Curro Hillcrest.

There was further South African success in the doubles, where Marc van der Merwe won the men’s title with partner Gray Voelzke from the USA, while Donna le Roux and Morgan Jordaan finished runners-up in the women’s final.

Record home representation

The results continued a strong local showing, with South Africa boasting all four home semi-finalists across the singles draws: two men and two women. Both South African men progressed to their respective finals, while the two South African women, Isabella Kruger and Marie-Louise van Zyl, narrowly missed out.

The week one draw included a record 45 South Africans out of 107 players, making up 42% of the field and marking the highest representation the series has seen.

It has been encouraging to see so many South Africans returning to compete this week. The value of hosting these events grows when the players themselves enter, and they have done so in numbers, alongside leading players from around the world.

Interest from leading international academies also continues to grow, with the Riccardo Piatti Academy sending a group of players from Monte Carlo and Italy to compete in Hillcrest.

Montsi and Badenhorst’s rivalry has become one of the series’ talking points, with the pair performing consistently well at the venue.

Three-week series continues

The Centre Court Series runs across three weeks from 29 June to 13 July, spanning both the men’s and women’s ITF Pro Tours. It opened with a W15 and M15 event from 29 June to 5 July, continues this week with a W35 and M15 competition from 6 to 12 July, and concludes with a W15 and M25 tournament from 13 to 19 July.

Cindy van der Merwe, Portfolio Manager at Curro Sport, said the series had become a fixture on the South African tennis calendar.

‘We're excited to bring the Centre Court Series back to Curro Hillcrest for another three weeks of world-class tennis,’ said Cindy. ‘The calibre of talent it attracts, both local and international, is remarkable, and it's especially rewarding to see our South African players embrace the platform, claiming 70% of the titles across the series history. That shows the strength of the talent we have right here at home and highlights the value unlocked for our players.’