The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net At the initial Bahamas Open Women's Tennis Tournament last year, the team of Nikkita Fountain and Grand Bahamian Larikah Russell got a wild card entry in the main draw of the doubles. And they are expected to be back for another shot at the title when the second annual $100,000 tournament gets underway at the National Tennis Centre this weekend. But tournament organiser Ty Olander said they are also pleased to announce that Bahamians will get a chance to come out and watch sensational rising young star Simone Pratt, also from Grand Bahama, as she has been given a wild card entry into the singles main draw. This is the first time in any major ATP or WTA international tournament that a Bahamian female player has been in the main draw, either by qualifying, earning her spot or getting through with a wild card. Fountain, Russell and Pratt are also expected to be joined by Gabrielle Moxey, who will play in the qualifying round of the singles that is slated to start Saturday. Moxey is currently attending a tennis academy in Florida. "She has been having a great season and she has been clearly our No.1 player," said tournament director Bradley Bain. "So it's good to reward her that opportunity to play with some of the best (female players in the world). To be the best, you have to play the best and so she will have that opportunity." Bain said it's rare for the local players to see the world-class players perform up close and in person, so it's going to be something for all of them to look up to as they aspire to be just as great as they are on the international scene. "These players are considered to be heroes in their home country, literally worshipped, they are in the top 100 players in the world and for them to have that opportunity is going to be great," Bain said. "Most tennis players in the world need opportunity and for them to play in this level event, has to be very special for them and very special for us because what they will get here in winning in one round is something they wouldn't get from winning a $10,000 tournament." Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association president Stephen Turnquest added that all of the countries, when hosting tournaments of this magnitude, always afford one of their junior players, or a player on course to turn pro, an opportunity to get a wild card into the main draw. "If you look at all those tournaments, if there is a junior player, they allow them to play," Turnquest said. "They do it to expose those players who have a chance of moving on to the next level, so we are happy that Simone is getting this opportunity here." Olander said when he was approached and the application was made on Pratt's behalf, he welcomed the opportunity to allow her to get the exposure by competing in the tournament. He recalled how last year he granted permission for Fountain and Russell to team up to play as a wild card entry in the doubles competition and they came very close to winning their first round match. Olander said it's important that, as the tournament continues to grow, the local players are not left behind as he will push for more of them to be included in both the qualifying and main draw play. If you're wondering about Kerrie Cartwright, she will not be participating as she is committed to college on an athletic scholarship. Plus, she has already surpassed the amount of professional tournaments she's allowed to participate in as a collegiate player. Nevertheless, Olander is excited about the Bahamians competing in the tournament this year. Moxey will be among the players taking part in the qualifying rounds that are scheduled to start 9am Saturday. The players will play three rounds through Sunday to determine the final six that will advance to the field of 32 in the main draw. On Sunday, the legends exhibition doubles match featuring four of the best female players to ever play the game - Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles, Mary Joe Fernandez and Zina Garrison (she replaced Jennifer Capriati who is out due to an arm injury) - is all set for 5pm followed by the official opening ceremonies. Then on Monday, play in the singles main draw is expected to begin. Fountain and Russell, however, won't start playing doubles until later in the week. The tournament will honour of Vickie Knowles-Andrews, Edith Powell, Lady Edith Powell and Lady Margaret Symonette by having their names placed on one of the championship and runners-up trophies in both singles and doubles. Knowles-Andrews and Powell will be among 12 Bahamians inducted into the Bahamas Tennis Hall of Fame 6:30pm Saturday at Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort. The others are Roger Smith, Kit Spencer, Kim O'Kelley, Leo Rolle, John Antonas, Giogio Baldacci, Sterling Cooke, Jane Wiberg, Sandra Miller and J Barrie Farringon.