The Vodafone Suva Open Tennis Championship offered a significant learning opportunity for teams from the Western region, many of whom were participating in tennis for the first time.
Head coach Lemeki Ledua Veimatayaki expressed his appreciation to Tennis Fiji for allowing young players from the Lautoka tennis club the chance to compete. He brought ten players ranging from Under-12 to Open grade, and was thrilled to see the joy on their faces as they embarked on their initial trip to Suva.
“I brought in ten players for the tournament from U12, U14, U16, and Open grade. For most of these kids, this is their first time traveling to Suva. I can see they are really enjoying themselves and are happy to be here,” said Veimatayaki.
Most of the participants were newcomers to the sport, apart from two, Pena and Uraia, who have been playing for the past seven years since the U10 category. Pena has now moved up to the open grade.
Despite challenging weather conditions, the players successfully completed two matches on the first day of the tournament, with plans to continue the competition the next day. Veimatayaki’s primary focus was to ensure the players enjoyed themselves and gained valuable experience in a competitive setting.
Suva coach and national representative Sumit Lal also noted the tournament’s growth, as there has been an increase in participant numbers compared to last year. He highlighted the significance of including junior grades in the event, recognizing the potential of these young athletes as future stars of tennis.
The competition is taking place at Victoria Tennis Court in Suva and will conclude tomorrow.