Shikongo, Zalto dominate third NTA senior tourney

Tennis
Mariud Ngula
  • 3 Days Ago 16 April 2025
Emma Zalto and Risto Shikongo were crowned champions of the Namibia Tennis Association’s (NTA) third senior tournament, recently concluded at Olympia’s Central Tennis Courts in Windhoek.

The tournament saw a turnout of 19 players across the men’s and women’s singles draws, all competing for top honours.

The women’s singles event, played in a round-robin format, saw Zalto open her campaign with a 6-3, 7-6(5) win over Elrica Nakusera, followed by a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over Amutse Kaylar to clinch the overall title. Nakusera finished as the runner-up.

In the men’s singles draw, Shikongo began his campaign with a hard-fought 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 win over Antonio Tchivanda, followed by a 6-1, 7-6(6) victory against Nguvi Hinda.

The semi-finals saw Shikongo face top seed Oscar Muyambo and secured a decisive 6-2, 6-3 win. Shikongo went on to defeat second seed Ronaldo Uirab 6-2, 6-2 in the final to claim the title.

Ronaldo Uirab secured second place in the men’s singles. Meanwhile, Antonio Tchivanda won the consolation draw. Often referred to as the plate title, it is awarded to players who exit early from the main competition but continue to compete in a secondary bracket.

In the men’s doubles, the top-seeded pair of Datango Gawanab and Nguvi Hinda dominated the second seeds, Lorenzo Danster and Vezepongunga Muniazo, 7-6, 7-5 to clinch the overall title.

Gawanab and Hinda opened their campaign with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 win over Diken de Jongh and Jan van der Westhuizen. They then faced Dickson Phiri and Mari van Schalkwyk, winning 6-4, 6-3 to book their place in the final.



'Unacceptable'

Speaking to Sport Wrap, Shikongo described his win by quoting tennis player David Shikongo’s famous line: “Unacceptable.” He admitted the victory came as a surprise, as winning the tournament was not his goal.

“I’ve been retired from competitive tennis for I don’t even know how long, so stepping onto the court and taking wins from OGs like Oscar [Muyambo] had to be strategic,” he said.

Shikongo added that the win proved a valuable point. “Even if my opponent is better than me in almost every area, if I fully lean into that one edge I am better at, I still have a shot at winning. I had one strategy, just one, which is my secret sauce...and I’m not revealing it.”

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