ANGELLA OKUTOYI
ITF World Spring 2022 13
From
orphanage to
Oscar-
Winning
Kudos
KENYA'S ANGELLA OKUTOYI HIT THE HEADLINES IN JANUARY WHEN
SHE REACHED THE THIRD ROUND AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN JUNIOR
CHAMPIONSHIPS, NOW SHE SITS DOWN WITH ITFWORLD TO DISCUSS
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS, LUPITA NYONG'O AND HER TENNIS BOOK
She captured the imagination of a nation
by making history at the Australian Open
Junior Championships and the story of
Angella Okutoyi's journey to the Grand
Slam stage is a powerful one.
It is a tale of heartbreak, defiance and hope
as the Kenyan teenager overcame immense
hurdles and defied significant odds to
become a household name in Nairobi and
beyond at the age of 18.
Okutoyi's life was not always illuminated
by the limelight – far from it, in fact – and
there have been some dark times and
difficult moments which have shaped her
character and outlook.
Indeed, there are reminders everywhere,
some of which are unavoidable, while others
are deliberately placed to inspire. Okutoyi's
WhatsApp profile picture, for instance, is
not of her Australian Open exploits, but a
photograph of herself aged six.
"I keep this photograph because it reminds me
of where I came from," Okutoyi tells ITFWorld.
"It is a picture of when I was young and at the
place where I started to play tennis.
"It is important for me to always remember
my start in life and where I came from. It acts
as constant motivation. For me, my drive is
my grandmother. When I am on court,I think
of her and when I do, I give everything.
"She is my driving force. I know where she has
taken me and my sister from, and I also know
the journey we have gone through together."
F U RT H E R I N FO R M AT I O N
