Top juniors set for tennis championship

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

The top juniors from across the island will trade shots in the third staging of the Hi-Lyte Sports Mixx Open Junior Tennis Championship, which will be held on May 7 and 8 at the Liguanea Club.

The tournament, which forms part of the Llockett McGregor tennis series, will commence at 9 a.m. each day with the participants competing in 10 categories, namely, boys 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 and the same for the girls. On show will be the likes of top two female seeds, Sequina Sinclair and Chantal Blackhood, and the top male seed Felix Ewers.

In addition to the various trophy prizes that the juniors will be vying for, they will also receive points towards their national ranking, which will act as an additional incentive.

Meet organiser and tournament director, Llockett McGregor, is pleased to have such a strong group of participants.

"So far we have 75 entrants in all categories from across the island," McGregor disclosed at a press conference held to launch the championship at the Liguanea Club yesterday. "We are very fortunate to once again have all the top juniors in their categories to be taking part in this tournament," he added.

Hi-Lyte Sports Mixx, which is back on board with a sponsorship package in excess of $250,000 through brand manager, Julette Hosang, expressed delight at the renewed partnership.

third staging

"We are proud to once again be the title sponsors of the third annual Hi-Lyte Sports Mixx Junior Tennis Champion-ship," Hosang expressed. "The partnership has been great, as supporting youth in sports is critical to Jamaica's development and is part of Hi-Lyte Sports Mixx's strategy to provide affordable hydration for the future athletes of Jamaica," she added.

Tony Martin, who represented Tennis Jamaica, is of the view that the tournament has the potential to produce world beaters in the sport.

"If this kind of support continues we have a very far way to go," Martin shared. "We are going to see some Venus and Serena Williams, (Rafael) Nadal and (Roger) Federer coming out of this tournament," he added.

The finals will take place on the last day commencing at 12:30 p.m. and the presentation ceremony is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.