ITF

14 Spring 2022 ITF World ANGELLA OKUTOYI The reason her grandmother, Mary, features so prominently in her affections is because she raised Okutoyi and her twin sister, Roselida Asumwa, after their mother tragically died during childbirth in 2004. Aside from a brief stint in an orphanage home in Limuru, Okutoyi and her sister stayed in a small quarter house in Loreto Convent with their grandmother, who works there as a cleaner. Life has been tough. "My mum passed away giving birth to me and my twin sister and ever since I have lived with my grandmother, who is a single mum," said Okutoyi. "It was really hard. At that time also, her daughter was sick and had problems with her lungs which required oxygen. She had to use all her money to take care of her daughter and at times worked many jobs. "We started with nothing. Other children would laugh at us and call us names. We became the joke, but we kept our heads down and did our fighting on court. "When I started playing tennis, it was hard and I remember there were times when I would play and wouldn't have eaten the whole of that day. I slept hungry for consecutive nights, with water the only thing I'd have all day. "I come from a very humble background, and it was really tough for my grandmother, but she kept going, was really strong and was always supportive. I take my courage and strength from her. "She doesn't show it, but she is really happy about my achievements. She tells me that she is proud of me and I'm happy that I have made her proud, because that has been my goal. If she is happy, I am happy." There have been many important figures along Okutoyi's path to the Grand Slam spotlight, which started aged four when she was enrolled into the ITF Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI). The JTI is the national 14-and-under junior development programme for a National Association, supported by the ITF, which provides increased participation opportunities and identifies talent for focused development. After displaying all the hallmarks of an accomplished individual with significant potential, Okutoyi was invited to join the ITF East Africa Regional Training Centre in Burundi in 2014. "I am really grateful that the ITF took me, which immediately reduced some problems," added Okutoyi. "They provided everything: food, shelter and equipment to train with. I was so grateful to have that opportunity. Since then, life changed." The feeling was mutual and the ITF was only too happy to provide developmental and, as it happened, career-enhancing opportunities. Above: Okutoyi received the warmest of welcomes on her return to Kenya Far right: At the Australian Open she became the first Kenyan girl to record a Junior Grand Slam match-win

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