Teenage tennis player Gwen Klu is set to represent Ghana at the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup Africa Group III tournament in Gaborone, Botswana, marking a significant milestone in her promising career.

The 16-year-old, who lives in Hadley, Telford, earned her maiden call-up after impressing on the junior circuit, where she secured an ITF junior world ranking. Eligible to represent the United Kingdom, France and Ghana, Klu opted to play for the West African nation after receiving the opportunity from the Ghana Tennis Federation.

“I feel honoured,” Klu said ahead of the tournament. “Ghana gave me the opportunity first, so I took their call.”

Klu’s passion for tennis began when a coach introduced the sport at her primary school through sessions at Telford Tennis Centre. She has since spent the past three and a half years training at Ellesmere Tennis Academy while regularly representing Shropshire’s county teams.

At the tournament, Ghana will compete against 10 other nations, including Algeria, Nigeria and Tunisia, in a round-robin competition. The top two teams will earn promotion to the Europe/Africa Group II.

Despite the challenge ahead, Klu remains focused on delivering her best performances rather than worrying about her opponents.

“I just want to go there and do my best,” she said, adding that the competition also offers an opportunity to experience different African cultures.

Klu also hopes her participation will attract sponsorship support, as her family currently finances her tennis career.