The J30 International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour commenced at the Lautoka Tennis Court this week, marking the beginning of a two-week event.
With participation from over 13 countries including host Fiji, Hong Kong, USA, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, China, Singapore, Vanuatu, South Africa, Northern Marianas, South Korea, and French Polynesia, the tournament boasts a diverse field of competitors.
A total of 116 players are vying for top honours.
Tournament supervisor Patrick O’Rourke expressed satisfaction with the turnout, noting the significant increase in player numbers compared with previous years.
“We’re very pleased with the number of players that we’ve got here this year.
“So, it’s a bigger tournament than any of the tournaments last year with over 100 players here, and the standard is very good for a development level tournament,” O’Rourke said.
O’Rourke emphasised the importance of developing tennis talent in the Pacific region.
“There have been some good players from the Pacific and some young ones playing here trying out at this level of tournament.”
Highlighting the significance of hosting the tournament in Fiji, O’Rourke reiterated the objective of exposing players from Fiji and other Pacific island nations to international tennis.
“Most of them are playing for the first time so probably struggling a bit.
“That’s the reason for having the tournament here, is to expose the players from Fiji and other Pacific island nations to international tennis,” he added.
“I think the tournament itself is going well, and the development of players in the Pacific, but there are some good coaches in the Pacific now so over the next few years, there should be some really good junior players coming through,” he concluded.
