By Oscar Pilipili
Butoyi
Odera Sakina
"Serena’s lessons reminded me of what I learned from Murray Williams when I was in the US. The lessons will help me to improve my game of tennis," Nyawalo told FeverPitch after the clinic. Surprisingly no official of the Kenya Lawn Tennis Association attended the event.Nyawalo said professional players and coaches should come to Kenya more often to nurture talent if the country needs a place in the world map of tennis.
Aspires to win
"We need world-class players like Serena to come and inspire us to perform better," he said.
Local-based Burundian Sakina Nshimirimana said interacting with Serena would inspire her during the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior Circuit starting in Burundi on Ncircuit
"I’m happy to meet and train with her because I now feel great," Nshimirimana said.
"Winning the circuit is the only way of thanking her for the lessons she gave me," an optimistic Nshirinimana said.
Her younger sister and the winner of 2005 ITF Circuit in Nairobi, Asisa Butoyi, also said Serena’s lessons will help her to win at least one of the three ITF rounds in East Africa.
"I’ve trained under a renowned professional and now look forward to being like her," she said.
Sadili Director, Liz Odera, echoed the players’ swentiments: "Serena’s visit is a dream-come-true for our girls, who have modelled themselves on the Williams girls."
Sadili has produced some of the best junior players but most of them quit tennis once they graduate in the under-18.