Zayan Virani in a past match./FILE
Zayyan Virani believes the best is yet to come despite winning the J30 tennis tournament at the Nairobi Club on Saturday.
Virani, who is based at Emilio Sanchez Academy in Spain, defeated German Vincent Visker 6-4, 6-2 to win the title and said he is relishing the second week of the tournament, which starts tomorrow.
“I am delighted with the win. It's been a good week, having won the event against quality opposition. I look forward to the second tournament,” said Virani.
With the victory, Virani became the first Kenyan to win the boys’ singles title at an ITF event since Albert Njogu claimed the J5 Nairobi crown in 2019.
He also became the first Kenyan boy to reach an ITF U-18 final since Kael Shah in 2022. In a composed performance lasting one hour and 45 minutes, Virani dominated from start to finish against the 15-year-old Visker.
Virani said he is looking forward to the second leg of the tournament, where he hopes to go all the way.
"It will be tough, I believe the players will play better, but I do believe there are areas of my game where I can improve and play better," added Virani.
The victory earned Virani 30 ITF junior ranking points, a significant boost to his global standing. As of June 30, 2025, he was ranked No. 960 with 71.5 points and remains the only Kenyan boy inside the top 1,500 in the ITF junior rankings.
His career-best ranking is No. 793, achieved on February 17, 2025.
Virani's journey to the title began with a first-round bye. He then dispatched India’s Aarav Dhekial 6-2, 6-3 in the second round and whitewashed Canadian Hayden Majumdar-Moreau 6-0, 6-0 in the third.
In the quarterfinals, he edged out France’s Louis Collos in a riveting double tiebreaker, 7-6, 7-6, before overcoming India’s Hursh Patel 7-5, 6-2 in the semifinals to book his place in the final.
The Nairobi Open I is part of the ITF J30 series, designed to offer young players an opportunity to earn ranking points and valuable international experience.
