With a total prize money of P85, 550, this year’s edition promises energetic matches from players drawn from across the region. There are decent cash prizes for the winners with the men's and women's singles champions guaranteed P12, 000 each. The losing finalists will pocket P7, 500, with P5, 000 going to each player who bows at the semi-final stage. Quarter-finalists will each take home P2, 700. In the veterans singles category, the champions will walk away with P1, 100 each, while the finalists receive P825. The doubles champions in both the men and women's section will cash P2, 200 with P1, 700 going to the losing finalists.
The president of the Botswana Tennis Association (BTA), Oaitse Thipe told MmegiSport that over 100 players are expected to participate from countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Peru, Lesotho, and Swaziland. “The Botswana Open is over 40 years old and is one of the oldest tournaments in the region. This year, it will feature both elite and the veterans categories,” Thipe said. Bringing extra energy to the tournament will be a number of US-based Botswana college players. These include Denzel Seetso from Cal Poly, Mark Nawa from Auburn University of Montgomery, Batshomi Marobela from Ashland University, Ekua Youri from the University of San Antonio, and Tshepo Mosarwa from North Carolina Wesleyan University. Their participation is expected to raise the level of competition and give inspiration to local talent with their international experience. T
