Suva welcomed a surge of young tennis talent as the Vodafone Suva Open Tennis Championship kicked off at the Victoria Courts yesterday, bringing together players from five Suva-area schools and a growing lineup from across Fiji and beyond. The event runs from junior to open grades, drawing more than 200 participants in total — a turnout that Suva Tennis coach Sumit Kumar described as well above expectations. “We didn’t expect this large scale of participants,” Kumar said, noting that initial estimates were around 120, but the field has now surpassed 200 across all categories.
A notable feature of this year’s competition is its breadth. Thirty-one players hail from local schools including St. Anne’s School, Gospel Primary School, and Holy Trinity Anglican School. But entrants aren’t limited to the capital; players have traveled from Nadi, Lautoka, and other parts of Fiji for the event. In an international touch, a number of participants have come from abroad, including Australia, New Zealand, and the Solomon Islands, underscoring the tournament’s growing appeal beyond Fiji.
Kumar also highlighted the daily discipline and dedication of young players, who have maintained rigorous training routines in the lead-up to the championships. The event is staged at the Victoria Tennis Court and expands to the Suva Lawn Tennis Court at Albert Park, reflecting a multi-venue approach that helps accommodate a large field and varied age groups.
The Vodafone Suva Open Tennis Championship has long been a showcase for emerging talent in Fiji, and this year’s edition signals a healthy growth trajectory for the sport. The continued support from Vodafone Fiji, renewed through 2026, reinforces a commitment to developing homegrown players and widening access to competitive tennis across the region.
Competition will continue today, with more players joining from around Fiji and continuing matches across the designated venues. The event’s expansion, including the addition of junior grades, aligns with a broader push to cultivate the sport’s next generation and to foster deeper community engagement around tennis in Suva and the wider Pacific.
Additional context: The stronger turnout this year fits with a regional pattern of increasing participation in tennis events, as clubs look to build a sustainable pipeline of talent from junior levels upward. The sponsorship stability from Vodafone provides a stable platform for ongoing development programs, encouraging schools and clubs to invest in coaching, facilities, and travel opportunities for young players. This bodes well for Fiji’s long-term prospects in the sport, with more players gaining exposure, gaining confidence, and potentially earning spots on national teams in the future.
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