Ilze Hattingh (born 22 April 1996) is a South African former professional

tennis Tennis is a racket sport that is played either individually against a single opponent ( singles) or between two teams of two players each ( doubles). Each player uses a tennis racket that is strung with cord to strike a hollow rubber ball ...

player. Born in

Durban Durban ( ) ( zu, eThekwini, from meaning 'the port' also called zu, eZibubulungwini for the mountain range that terminates in the area), nicknamed ''Durbs'',Ishani ChettyCity nicknames in SA and across the worldArticle on ''news24.com'' from ...

, Hattingh was introduced to tennis at the age of seven. On the

ITF Junior Circuit The ITF Junior Circuit is the premier level for worldwide competition among under-18 junior tennis players. Founded in 1977 with only nine tournaments, the 2011 ITF Junior Circuit offered over 350 tournaments in 118 countries. Mirroring the ATP an ...

, she was ranked as high as world No. 49, which she achieved in January 2013. She has held the position as South Africa's junior number one girl tennis player on multiple occasions. On the

ITF Women's Circuit The ITF Women's World Tennis Tour, previously known as the ITF Women's Circuit, is a series of professional tennis tournaments run by the International Tennis Federation for female professional tennis players. History It serves as a developmental ...

, she reached one $10k semifinal in singles, in Potchefstroom in December 2012. She also made her debut for the

South Africa Fed Cup team The South Africa Billie Jean King Cup team represents South Africa in Billie Jean King Cup tennis competition and are governed by the South African Tennis Association. They currently compete in the Europe/Africa Zone of Group II. History South ...

in 2012.

Career

2013

Hattingh began her 2013 campaign with back to back junior tournaments in Australia, the Grade-1 Loy Yang Power Traralgon International and the Australian Open, but lost in the first round of both. She then continued her training before resuming competitive play at three back to back Grade 2's in her home country, starting on 18 February. She reached semifinals of all three in singles, and claimed one doubles title alongside

Madrie Le Roux Madrie Le Roux (born 19 April 1995) is a South African former tennis player. Born in Uitenhage, Le Roux was introduced to tennis at the age of six. On the ITF Junior Circuit, she has been ranked as high as world No. 69, achieved in January 201 ...

. The strong performance boosted her junior ranking up to a career high of world No. 49. In May, Hattingh was given a wildcard for the main draw of a $50k tournament in Johannesburg, but was knocked out by eventual finalist

Chanel Simmonds Chanel Simmonds (born 10 August 1992) is a former tennis player from South Africa. Simmonds won 23 singles titles and 29 doubles titles on the ITF Women's Circuit The ITF Women's World Tennis Tour, previously known as the ITF Women's Circui ...

in round one. Hattingh returned to the

in June, playing a Grade-1 event in Germany as the 15th seed. Following a bye in the first round, she reached the semifinals with the loss of one set, and but lost to Iryna Shymanovich on 15 June for a place in the final. This is the deepest she has gone into a Grade-1 draw. Ilze then proceeded to play four more junior tournaments in Europe, including

Wimbledon Wimbledon most often refers to: * Wimbledon, London, a district of southwest London * Wimbledon Championships, the oldest tennis tournament in the world and one of the four Grand Slam championships Wimbledon may also refer to: Places London * ...

, but didn't achieve much success, losing in qualifying at Wimbledon and failing to reach the quarterfinals of any other tournament. At the end of the 2013 season, Hattingh competed in four consecutive $10k events in Sharm El Sheikh. As a qualifier, she reached the quarterfinals of two of the singles tournaments and was runner-up at one doubles tournament with close friend Madrie Le Roux. The professional breakthrough earned Ilze her first WTA singles and doubles rankings.

2017

Hattingh joined the Arizona State University tennis programme in the United States where she plays mainly at the No. 2 position.

ITF Circuit finals

Singles: 2 (1–1)

Doubles: 17 (10–7)

Fed Cup participation

Singles

Doubles

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Hattingh, Ilze 1996 births Living people South African female tennis players Sportspeople from Pretoria Sportspeople from Durban White South African people Arizona State Sun Devils women's tennis players