CENTURION/STARNBERG, June 1, 2026
South Africa is back onto the global stage again as the ATP Challenger Tennis Tour has made its highly anticipated return with the Rise Irene Open. The first of two back-to-back hard-court events concluded on Sunday with Briton Giles Hussey lifting the trophy.
The 29-year-old Englishman defeated Australian Edward Winter in the singles final 6-3, 6-3. Hussey didn’t face a break point and converted three of his own six break-point chances to secure victory in one hour and 33 minutes.
Giles the champ 🤩 🏆
Hussey completes a dream week, securing his maiden Challenger title with a straight sets victory over Winter.#ATPChallenger | 🇿🇦 Centurion | @the_LTA pic.twitter.com/qHkvz8BU4b
— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) May 31, 2026
The unseeded Swindon native advanced to the championship match with wins in the top half of the draw over Germany’s Patrick Zahraj, local wild card entry Devin Badenhorst, Israeli qualifier Orel Kinhi and seventh-seeded Eliakim Coulibaly from the Ivory Coast.
Following eight triumphs on the ITF World Tennis Tour, Hussey clinched his maiden title on the ATP Challenger Tour. The world No. 352 earned $9,500 in prize money as well as 50 ATP Ranking points.
The Rise Irene Open is being held at the Irene Country Club in Centurion, a vibrant city located between Pretoria and Johannesburg in the province of Gauteng. Known for its modern infrastructure, green residential areas and strong sporting culture, Centurion has grown into one of South Africa’s most important urban centres.
The city is home to the renowned SuperSport Park, one of the country’s premier cricket venues, which regularly hosts international matches. Centurion also offers a blend of business districts, shopping centres and outdoor attractions, with the nearby Rietvlei Nature Reserve providing opportunities to see wildlife such as rhinos, buffalo and various antelope species.
