Tennis players across South Africa will be given a chance to compete on clay courts for the first time on home soil when the inaugural Renault Clay Courts Challenge series is held at the North-West University (NWU) in Potchefstroom between 9 May and 10 August 2025.

A joint venture between the NWU, Tennis South Africa (TSA) and Renault South Africa, the inaugural series will feature day and night matches across a range of age groups, with Under-12, 14, 16, and Open competitions being held.

Providing a chance for SA's elite players across four age divisions to gain valuable experience, the NWU will host this unique series of tournaments, making available the only five Italian clay courts in the country.

With entries now open, the top eight players in each age group in the SA rankings will compete across the four tournaments in the doubles and singles divisions for boys, girls, men, and women.

While SA players have always had opportunities to compete on hard courts, this series offers the chance for the country's top players to participate on Italian red clay courts. Anthony Moruthane, the TSA General Manager, hopes the Renault Clay Courts Challenge will assist players in becoming more accustomed to the slower surface, in preparation for international clay court tournaments.

"We are excited to partner with Renault and the North-West University to bring the first-ever clay courts tournaments to South Africa," Moruthane said.

"These tournaments not only mark a historic moment for tennis in our country but also underscore our shared commitment to growing the sport and providing local players with competitive opportunities on varying surfaces.

"This wouldn’t be possible without the North-West University’s world-class Italian red clay facilities, which will enable our players to experience the unique challenge of playing on clay courts right here at home. Equally, we thank Renault South Africa for their continued backing and support of local tennis, which has been instrumental in driving the sport since the launch of our partnership earlier this year.

"The inclusion of both day and night matches will also add an exciting dynamic to the competition. We invite players and fans alike to join us for this inaugural tournament."

Prof Daryl Balia, deputy vice-chancellor for Information Technology and Potchefstroom Campus operations at the NWU, described the opportunity to host the upcoming tournament as yet another testimony to the fact that the NWU’s sports facilities are second to none on the entire continent and annually attract hundreds of international athletes.

“The North-West University takes tennis as a sport very seriously, thus our support and cooperation in this regard,” Balia said.
Nosipho Manitshana, Vice President: Marketing and Communication at Renault South Africa, added: "As a brand that drives excellence, Renault South Africa is committed to developing local tennis talent by investing in opportunities that prepare players for clay court competition. This initiative aligns with international standards and the playing conditions of Roland Garros, the prestigious Grand Slam Tournament proudly sponsored by Renault globally."

Renault Clay Courts Challenge fixtures:

• U-16 and Open: 9–11 May 2025
• U-12 and U-14: 20–22 June 2025
• U-12 and U-14: 1–3 August 2025
• U-16 and Open: 8–10 August 2025

Anthony Moruthane and Prof Daryl Balia shaking hands on closing the deal.

Some of the clay courts which will be used during the tournament.