‘People know tennis is a rich sport, I don’t come from rich family’ – Okutoyi opens up on struggles

 

Tennis star Angela Okutoyi has opened up on her challenging childhood experiences following the death of her mother.

In an interview with Olympics.com, Okutoyi disclosed that her mother passed away during their birth, and as a result, she and her twin sister Asumwa were placed in an orphanage.

Okutoyi growing up

Their maternal grandmother, Mary Ndonda, took on the responsibility of raising the months-old twins, despite the hardships she faced as an elderly woman working as a cleaner at a convent in Nairobi.

The twins lived in a one-roomed house with Ndonda and three other children, and Okutoyi's earliest memories were marked by difficulties.

Despite the adversity, Okutoyi emphasized that her journey has become an inspiration to many, particularly those facing challenging circumstances.

She highlighted that tennis is often associated with affluence, but her story demonstrates that success in the sport is attainable regardless of one's background.

“My journey has [inspired] and is already inspiring so many young kids, and I can show them that they can also do it," Okutoyi told Olympics.com.

"Most people know that tennis is a rich sport, and I didn't come from a rich family. So, me being able to break through, it's quite a good story,” she stated.

Recalling her tough upbringing, Okutoyi spoke about the hardships she faced, including times when they had little to eat and survived on just a cup of water.

Living in a family with financial struggles, Okutoyi credited her fearless and strong demeanour to the difficulties she overcame.

“Growing up, I remember there were times we didn't eat, and the only meal would be just a cup of water and we would survive. That's why I'm fearless, and I am strong."

“My life growing up wasn't easy. I remember our family we had no money, just my grandmother who was a widower, taking care of five kids," she concluded.

How Okutoyi started tennis

She also narrated a time when her grandmother's daughter was ill, and she, along with her twin sister, had to take care of the sick child while their grandmother worked to earn money for the family.

“There was one time her daughter was ill, and she had to use oxygen. Allan, my uncle, and my Aunt Cynthia would go to school. Rosie and I were still very young, but we had to take care of her sick daughter since her mum had to work to find money.”

The convent where they lived had tennis courts, and at the age of four, Okutoyi and her sister were drawn to the sport. Tennis ran in their family, with her uncle, aunt, and late mother being familiar with the game.

“I can remember holding a big racket and wearing casual shoes and casual clothes, walking to the tennis court and playing,” Okutoyi reflected on her early exposure to the sport.

By

Amanga Collins