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Tennis South Africa (TSA) has finalised a three-year sponsorship deal with American Express.
TSA President Gavin Crookes believes that this collaboration would significantly contribute to the growth of the sport.
While specific sponsorship figures were not disclosed by Crookes, he hinted that it was substantial, likely in the range of millions. Characterising the partnership as a significant triumph for tennis, Crookes emphasized its potential to foster both aspiring and elite players.
As a direct outcome of this partnership, entry-level tournaments are expected to be more accessible, offering invaluable opportunities for players at all levels.
"So, the significance of the partnership is substantial financial injection into the federation specifically aimed at the development of tennis in the areas if junior tennis and wheelchair tennis and club tennis which is where the basic core of tennis happens in South Africa. It's about getting more people to play in those tournaments,” Crookes said.
“It's about improving and nurturing the experience of playing in those events, it's about creating role models from the winners that come through to those events by having more events, you have more winners and you create more role models. So, it becomes a win-win for the development of tennis in the country and it inspire."
A portion of the sponsorship funds will be allocated to schools, where they will be utilised to support the training and development of both students and teachers involved in tennis.
This assistance will include aspects such as nutrition, provision of gear, and maintenance of tennis courts, aiming to nurture and produce talented tennis players in various communities.
"It starts putting pressure on teachers to start doing the play and stay trainer courses that they can then start encouraging their pupils to start developing their hand, eye, ball coordination and hopefully some of those kids will then come through and say, we wanna start playing formal tennis. If I look at myself back in the years, that's exactly what happened to me," Crookes added.
