Tennis South Africa (TSA) is pleased to confirm that the country will host 14 weeks of ITF World Tennis Tour events in 2026, comprising seven women’s and seven men’s tournaments. This expanded calendar reflects TSA’s commitment to growing professional tennis opportunities and strengthening partnerships across South Africa.

In partnership with WIPHOLD, a Black women-owned investment company, TSA will stage two weeks of combined back-to-back men’s and women’s events in Pretoria for the fourth consecutive year, with week one commencing on 13 April 2026 and week two on 20 April 2026. The WIPHOLD International Series will return to Pretoria for another year, reaffirming its place as a cornerstone of the South African tennis calendar.

Players will then move on to Mpumalanga for the inaugural Mbombela Open Global Series, which will be hosted for the first time and feature two weeks of combined back-to-back tournaments, with week one starting on 27 April 2026 and week two on 4 May 2026. In addition, TSA will continue its successful partnership with Curro Holdings, which will host six weeks of tournaments in Hillcrest. These events, returning for a third consecutive year, will take place during the weeks commencing 29 June, 6 July and 13 July2026.

As part of the ITF World Tennis Tour, the tournaments serve as an important stepping stone from junior tennis to the elite professional circuit. The events will attract a diverse mix of South Africa’s top junior players, emerging local professionals, and international talent from across Africa and beyond, ensuring high-quality competition and invaluable opportunities for player development.

Anthony Moruthane, General Manager of TSA, emphasised the importance of the expanded calendar: “These tournaments are more than just events; they are pathways for our players to progress from junior tennis into the professional ranks. Hosting 14 weeks of ITF World Tennis Tour competition in 2026 will give South African players the chance to test themselves against international talent at home, while earning valuable ranking points and experience.

“We are grateful to WIPHOLD, Curro Holdings, and our new partners in Mbombela for their belief in our vision and for helping us create opportunities that will elevate South African tennis to new heights,” added Moruthane.

Tennis Base Legacy Director, Sabelo Mathebula added, “We are excited to be part of the World Tennis Tour and look forward to welcoming players from across the globe to the province of Mpumalanga. The Mbombela Open Global Series will not only highlight world-class tennis, but also shine a spotlight on our province’s rich tourism offering and many other unique strengths.

“Positioned to become the ‘Greatest Tennis Experience in Africa,’ the Mbombela Open Global Series is made possible through our strong collaboration with Tennis South Africa and Mpumalanga Tennis. This marks the beginning of even greater opportunities for our province, including growing the sport and preparing the generation of players.”

ITF World Tennis Tour Events in 2026:

• 13 April 2026 – Wiphold (Week 1) – M15/W15
• 20 April 2026 – Wiphold (Week 2) – M15/W15
• 27 April 2026 – Mbombela (Week 1) – M15/W15
• 04 May 2026 – Mbombela (Week 2) – M15/W15
• 29 June 2026 – Durban (Week 1) – M15/W15
• 06 July 2026 – Durban (Week 2) – M25/W15
• 13 July 2026 – Durban (Week 3) – M15/W35