Chair Umpire Patrick Selepe to Make Tennis History for South Africa at Davis Cup

Pretoria’s Patrick Selepe will make history next month when he becomes the first official with a disability to work as a chair umpire in South African Davis Cup competition.

Originally from Limpopo, Selepe – a former wheelchair tennis player – has a prosthetic leg after losing his limb to bone cancer in 1996.

After losing his leg he was inspired by award-winning Paralympic high-jumper Fanie Lombaard, and took on high jump himself… breaking the SA record with a 1.52m jump.

When wheelchair tennis was launched in South Africa, Selepe applied dedication and determination to earn a beginner’s coaching certificate. He told City Press last year that he “did quite extensive research on sports for the disabled, but I fell in love with wheelchair tennis”.

He is passionate about the sport and is not only excited witnessing it slowly becoming a mainstream event, but believes it should be getting even more attention. His achievements are helping that happen…

The 39-year-old is one of three officials named by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Tennis South Africa (TSA) to do duty at the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas tie between South Africa and Estonia.

The tie is to be played at the Irene Country Club outside Pretoria from 3-5 February.

The referee and ITF Representative at the tie will be experienced umpire, Dr. Ashraf Hamouda of Qatar. The two chair umpires are Selepe and Soweto’s Tebogo Maleka from Soweto, Johannesburg. Chief of Umpires will be Mpho Makhoba of Atteridgeville, Pretoria.

The father of three has previously done duty as a line umpire at the Wimbledon qualifying event last year.

His motto is: “If you feel you want to do something, go ahead and do it properly.”

See more: www.sascoc.co.za/2017/01/12/selepe-set-to-make-history-at-davis-cup-tie/