‘So proud of tennis buzz’

The 11th Bank of Bermuda ITF Junior Circuit Tournament is in full swing at the W.E.R. Joel Tennis Stadium as scores of world- class junior players swarm to the island.

Unfortunately, in the boys’ draw, Nicholas Lines, William Boyle and Luke Stirling saw their singles chances come to an end yesterday, each losing in straight sets to their opponents. 

The three will have a second crack at it in the boys’ doubles.

Despite this local setback, organizers are thrilled with the impact the tournament is having. “It’s the only truly international tournament where the local players will have the opportunity to play against their peers from all over the world, so it gives them a good measuring stick to where they are in the developmental process,” tournament supervisor Mickey Williams told the Bermuda Sun. 

“It gives them an opportunity to see how some of the other kids are doing, when they talk they discuss things like training methods and dietary habits. 

“So the kids get an opportunity to mix with and meet kids from all over, watching them play and playing against them. They get an opportunity to gauge their development and their abilities and get motivation to get to the next level.”

This year saw 21 boys come to try and qualify for the final four spots in the tournament. “We’re very proud of this event and the buzz it creates,” said Coleridge Place, vice president of the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association.

“These tournaments are no strangers to the kids coming in, so they know the competition is tough. When you get a large group of kids like this that travel worldwide playing these circuit tournaments coming to Bermuda, you know they’re coming stacked well, and we can’t take them lightly.”

Bermuda’s Tyler Smith is seeded seventh in a field of 32 girls and won her first match on Monday, closing out with a convincing 6-0 third set. “The association is proud of Tyler right now and she’s got a good  chance of really representing well in this event, and we’re expecting some good results from her,” added Place. 

The action continues  from 10am today. Spectators welcome.