SA Tennis | First WIPHOLD International women's tournament gets underway in Pretoria

South Africa will be well represented against top players from around the world when the first WIPHOLD International women's tournament gets underway in Pretoria on Sunday.

The week-long tournament is one of two back-to-back International Tennis Federation (ITF) W50 events being played at TuksTennis, which are both offering massive prize purses of $40,000 (R760,000).

All 18 international players already confirmed for the main draw are among the top 500 in the WTA rankings.

The entry list is spearheaded by the likes of Brazilian player Laura Pigossi, who earned the bronze medal in the doubles tournament at the Tokyo Olympic Games a few years ago, and Gabriela Knutson of the Czech Republic, who won four singles titles on the ITF circuit last season. Both players are ranked among the top 200 in the world.

The tournament also offers significant opportunities for local women to test themselves against international players, while earning lucrative prize money and securing valuable ranking points.

Four SA players have been given main draw wildcard entries for the tournament, including the country's top-ranked woman, Isabella Kruger.

She will be joined by Zoë Kruger, who is making a comeback after a lengthy injury layoff, as well as top-ranked SA U-18 player Kaitlyn Ramduth and Danielle Chapman, who is the nation's highest listed player in the ITF junior rankings.

Another seven South Africans will also have an opportunity to participate in the tournament through qualifying rounds this week.

They are Christine Gouws, Tanika Tyra Panaino, Carle Botha, Isabella Basson, Danielle Dai Chapman, Hailey Robyn Troup and Abigayel Vosloo.

Week one of the WIPHOLD International will start on Sunday, February 18th, with finals scheduled for Saturday, February