The Tribune

THE BAHAMAS Lawn Tennis Association will mark the Yuletide season by showcasing a cadre of Bahamian tennis talent during its annual Giorgio Baldacci Open Challenge, set for December 19-23 at the National Tennis Centre.

This year’s tournament is hyped as the 2016 Davis Cup team won the tie in July of this year in Bolivia, which promoted the Bahamas to Zone II, after a seven-year drought of being relegated to Zone III.

The four top finishers in the men’s division will comprise the 2017 Davis Cup Team - slated to play the first round of the tie against Venezuela February 3-5, 2017 - to be played on a neutral ground, which will be officially announced soon.

The four top finishers in the women’s category will be made up of our 2017 Fed Cup team, scheduled to represent our nation July 17-22, 2017 in Uruguay.

The five-day competition this coming week will begin with a round-robin format with players facing each other in their respective pools December 19-20, and the top two players in each pool advancing to the main draw - single elimination format - December 21-22. The final is slated to be played on Friday, December 23.

Matches will be held 9am daily with a few night matches as the association tries to get the best players to represent the country.

“With an overwhelming 26 entries in the men’s category and a dismal seven entries in the women’s category, the Open Challenge is expected to be one of the best ever.

“As an Open Challenge, this year’s competition is very unique in its composition of players - it will showcase a diverse group of elite, senior, junior and first-time Open Challenge players all eagerly waiting to put their stamp on the tennis courts,” said a press release.

All four of the 2016 Davis Cup Team members - Baker Newman, Spencer Newman, Kevin Major Jr and Marvin Rolle - are expected to compete in this upcoming Open Challenge, looking forward to yet another opportunity to serve on the team.

Also participating among the elite athletes is Philip Major Jr, third-place finisher in last year’s event, having had three main draw appearances on the pro circuit this year.

Another Open Challenge hopeful is 2014 champion Rodney Carey Jr from Freeport, Grand Bahama, who won’t be denied a place on the 2017 Davis Cup team.

Equally talented is pro circuit player Justin Lunn who was last year ranked No. 2 in the USTA Men’s Open Singles’ ranking for the State of Florida.

Also hoping to defend her title is Iesha Shepherd, last year’s winner in the women’s division, who will be met by the No.1 in girls’ 18s division, Gabriela Donaldson, and other top junior national players Sierra Donaldson, Afrika Smith, Sydni Kerr, Sydney Clarke, and Elana Mackey.

Representing from the Boy’s 18s division is the No. 1, Donte Armbrister, along with other top players: Calum Moodie, O’Neal Mortimer, Jack Kelly and Wayne Russell. Senior avid tennis players Anthony Burrows Sr., a three-time entrant and Michael Butler, doubles runner-up in this year’s A.I.D tournament, will also be showcasing their talent along with William Fountain, triple-crown winner in A.I.D tournament. Another talented group of players being represented at this year’s event comprise a mixture of college players, unseeded players, and new comers to the Tournament, all of whom don’t want to be counted out of the mix. This can very well be an upset! Amazing forehander Robert Smith; powerhouse Joshua Turnquest of Asbury University; strong backhander, Jody Turnquest, sleeping giant with a one-handed backhand Michael Cooper of Drake University; conference final team winner at Missouri Baptist University, Dylan Walker of Eleuthera and player/junior national team coach Ceron Rolle, will all battle to make their presence felt, as new comers: Trenton Smith, Archie Burrows, Perry Newton Jr., Kyle Rolle and Lee Sweeting hope to make a good showing.

This Open Challenge is expected to be a blazing success and the tennis community and the general public at large are invited to come out and witness a colourful display of Bahamian talent during this festive season. The rhythmic sounds of the goat-skinned drums, the cowbells and horns may be muffled until Boxing Day, but the sounds of “Come On”, “Let’s Go”, “Right Here, Right Here” will be echoed by tennis players and enthusiasts alike throughout the grounds of the National Tennis Centre for one week.

During the week, tennis will be displayed in all its splendour, and we will see the battle of the fittest, swiftest, smartest and most talented, as spectators watch with bated breath and swing their head repeatedly from left to right following the ball in motion. The Open Challenge is named in honour of the late Giorgio Baldacci, tennis legend, Past President and national coach of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association who gave some 30 years of unselfish and exemplary service toward the growth and development of Tennis in The Bahamas.

“He also helped to guide so many players to the collegiate and professional ranks and was an advisor to many in administration.”

The Late Baldacci ceased from his labour November 10, 2012.

Tournament Referees are: Mr. Neil MacTaggart for the Qualifying Round and Mr. Jyles Turnquest for the Main Draw. Mr. Elwood Donaldson is President.