Junior international tennis tourney slated for mid-April

Some promising tennis players from around the world are slated to arrive in Barbados this month for the 20th staging of the Barbados Junior International at the National Tennis Centre.

The tournament is slated to run from April 12 and conclude on April 19 with players competing in Under-14 and Under-18 age groups for both boys and girls. The Under-18 qualifying tournament and the Under-14 round robin events will begin on April 12, while the main draw of the tournament will get going on April 14.

Tournament Director Sandra Osbourne says they expect the tournament to be a success once again, with players from 30 countries expected to compete. Interest is so high, especially among the Under-18 boys where there are 158 entries competing for 64 positions.

Bahamian tennis player Rasheed Carey who is currently ranked 172 in the world is the top seed among the boys.

In the Under-18 girls’ there are currently 92 entries who will compete for 64 positions. The top ranked female player will be Rafaella Baquerizo from Ecuador. She is currently ranked 102 in the world.

There are 38 entries for the Boys’ Under-14 competition, while there are 17 entries for the Girls’ Under-14.

“This is very good for the girls because last year our girls’ draw was very small. So to have 17 entries coming from Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent is very good,” said Osbourne.

The tournament is part of the International Tennis Federation’s Junior Circuit. (PG)