ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TENNIS ASSOCIATION

Left to right: Justice Christopher, Ayden Ambrose & Cordell Williams jr.

Its a new day for tennis in Antigua, we have more children playing on the international stage both at junior level and collegiate level. We have a team leaving tomorrow 28th Jul, 2011 to contest the team event JITIC and Sunday the U12 team leaves to contest the Coco Cola ITF Junior open in St. Lucia. Over the years we have had players compete in the U12 division of this tournament, this year a new group is ready to test the waters Cordell williams jr, Justice Christopher and Ayden Ambrose.

These players along with the U14 athletes have been preparing to contest this tournament in an effort to make a name for themselves and their country. It will not be easy but these athletes have shown true grit both at practice and through their quality of play in the last national Junior tournament with Cordell Williams jr. winning the U12 title. Also competing in the Coco Cola ITF junior Open in St. Lucia is Jody Maginley (U18) and D'Jeri Raymond (U14) who has had a good run so far this summer winning both the doubles titles in Aruba and Curacao. Raymond's quality of play has earned her the top ranking in the girls U14 division; as of week 25th Jul, 2011 D'Jeri Raymond is ranked #1 in Cotecc(Confederation of Tennis in Central American & the Caribbean).

This feat has only once been done before in that of Kevin Gardner. Left to right: NA tennis assoc. president, Daynija Ricardo & D’Jeri Raymond doubles winners Dutch Caribbean Open These athletes along with Shakir Elvin and Jevannie Ambrose will also be competing in the Digicel ITF St. Vincent open. Raymond, Jevannie Ambrose and Cordell Williams Jr. has also been selected to represent Antigua in the last team even of the summer the 13 & Under development Championships to be held in Suriname.

We wish all our tennis players who continue to represent their country the very best for the rest of the summer. As these tournaments progress we will continue to give daily coverage of the players performance.