LISTEN: SA's Alwande Sikhosana wins first singles wheelchair title of the year
The South African wheelchair tennis player reflects on his recent win and talks about his struggles without sponsors.
South Africa's top men's wheelchair tennis player, Alwande Sikhosana. Picture: ITF images via Kopastch/Molter
947’s Robert Marawa speaks with wheelchair tennis player Alwande Sikhosana.
Listen below:
The wheelchair tennis player continues to fly the South African flag high.
He recently won his first singles title for the year at the Tennis South Africa (TSA) Wheelchair Future Series, taking the victory in straight sets 6–2, 6–0.
The finals for Week 1 of the TSA International Wheelchair Futures Series tournament delivered an unforgettable finish at the Gauteng East Tennis Courts in Benoni.
— Tennis South Africa (@TennisSA) July 1, 2025
In the men’s final, 🇿🇦 top-ranked Alwande Sikhosana dazzled the home crowd with a powerful performance, defeating 🇩🇪… pic.twitter.com/WGHyBRndJw
After a tough start to the year, the victory is "welcomed and highly appreciated," he says.
Following the 2024 Paralympics, Sikhosana lost his financial support and was forced to navigate tough terrain on his own.
"It was an amazing feeling to play on home soil after six years… it gave me such a good feeling having the crowd cheering my name and just knowing that I had all the support behind me."
– Alwande Sikhosana
“I think this has to be the most challenging year for me, especially after last year… it gives me motivation to continue doing what I love, it gave me hope.”
– Alwande Sikhosana
“As the continental number one… it’s been tough for me to even do simple things like just maintain the programme.”
– Alwande Sikhosana
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.