At just nine years old, Chriyansh Anand Dass stood out as the youngest player at this year’s Extra Fiji Tennis Championship, but it wasn’t just his age that caught attention, it was his heart.
The Class 4 student from Lautoka Arya Samaj Primary School took part in the Under-12 category with a level of pride and passion beyond his years. Over five intense days at the Denarau Golf and Racquet Club, Chriyansh played three impressive matches, showing grit, confidence, and a sheer love for the game.
“I was five when I started playing tennis.
“I like it because it’s fun, and I love to whack the ball really hard,” he said.
While the youngest and shortest player in his division, Chriyansh isn’t intimidated by older opponents.
“To play tennis, you have to be confident and have fun playing all the games,” he shared.
“Next year, I plan to come back and compete again in singles and doubles.”
With dreams of becoming a professional tennis player, Chriyansh is one of only two active players in his class, but his journey reflects the growing grassroots movement Tennis Fiji has worked hard to nurture something proudly as highlighted by Tennis Fiji president Romil Patel.
“It’s been a fantastic five days.
“We had amazing matches, a few weather challenges, but the quality of tennis and the spirit of the players made this one of the best editions yet,” Patel said.
This year’s tournament often dubbed the “Grand Slam of the Pacific” hosted 341 matches across 39 different categories, making it one of the biggest on record. A key contributor to the tournament’s success, according to Patel, was the presence of veteran Gold Badge referee David Smith from New Zealand.
“David’s been coming to Fiji for 23 years. He’s done major tournaments all over the world, and the way he schedules matches, especially around unpredictable weather is just world class. Some nights we played under the floodlights, which added to the excitement.”
Another major boost came from the tournament’s title sponsor, Extra Supermarket. This year, their sponsorship grew from $30,000 to $50,000, allowing organizers to offer prize money to every winner for the first time.
“That’s never happened before.
“All winners received cash prizes thanks to Extra’s support, and its motivated players to bring their best. It also sets a strong foundation for next year,” Patel added.
To make the tournament even more memorable for international participants, winners received handcrafted trophies made locally, souvenirs they can take home to remember Fiji and the experience of playing in the prestigious Open.
And with New Caledonia already confirming 20 players for the 2026 tournament, the future of the Fiji Open is looking brighter than ever.
As for little Chriyansh, his dreams are only just beginning.
“I feel good playing in the U12s. I’m excited for many years to come,” he said.
With talent, determination, and the right support, Fiji’s youngest tennis hopeful may just grow into the next big name in the sport.
