Legends take court for Cullman event

Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

Some of the most celebrated names in top-flight professional tennis will be on show in western Jamaica today when the popular Tryall Club in Hanover, play host to the much-anticipated 16th annual Legends of Tennis Event, a stellar attraction on the local calendar.

This year's event, which is being played under the banner, 'The Edgar Cullman Legends of Tennis Event', is designed to draw attention to Cullman's exemplary contribution to the development of the sport in Jamaica.

"We will be celebrating the life of tennis enthusiast Edgar Cullman, who contributed greatly not only to tennis, but to the country's development as well," stated a release from the event's organisers. "In 1989, he was awarded Commander of Distinction, Jamaica's highest honour for a non-Jamaican."

Listed among the stars are multiple grand-slam winner Owen Davidson, Taylor Dent, Jennifer Hopkins and Jan Michael Gambill, who will also be participating in a series of activities ranging from tennis clinics for school children to a highly charged series of pro-am exhibition matches.

The day's schedule will begin with a charity junior clinic, during which promising tennis students will get the chance to meet the pros.

The highlight of the day will be exhibition games, featuring professionals, which will take place in the afternoon.

Owen Davidson has won 15 grand-slam championship titles and was inducted into the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Hall of Fame in 2010. Taylor Dent has won four ATP singles titles, including the 2003 championships in which he defeated Andy Roddick. Jennifer Hopkins is a six-time ITF winner, whereas Gambill has played against tennis greats Roger Federer and Pete Sampras and was once ranked 14th in the world.

The Tryall Club has had a long and rich history in the growth of junior tennis in western Jamaica. Its annual summer programme has contributed to the early career of the likes of Winfried Weinbeer and Dustin Brown.

"The summer camp offers a comprehensive tennis programme that caters to more than 150 children from the parish of Hanover," stated the release from the organisers. "This camp not only helps to identify young tennis talent, but also encourages academic progress through mathematics and English language classes."