The Vodafone Suva Open Tennis Championship has offered an important learning opportunity for Western teams, many of which are participating in tennis for the first time.
Head coach Lemeki Ledua Veimatayaki expressed his appreciation to Tennis Fiji for providing this chance to young players from the Lautoka tennis club. He brought ten players across various age groups, from Under-12 to Open, and was thrilled to witness their excitement as they embarked on their inaugural 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 the first time they are traveling to Suva,” Veimatayaki shared. “It’s clear they are having a great time and are happy to be here.”
For many of the participants, it was their first experience in competitive tennis, with only two players, Pena and Uraia, having previously participated for seven years since Under-10, with Pena now competing in the open grade.
Despite facing challenging weather on the first day of the tournament, the players successfully completed two matches, with plans to continue play the next day. Veimatayaki’s primary goal was to ensure that the players enjoyed the experience while gaining valuable insights in a competitive setting.
Suva coach and national representative Sumit Lal also recognized the tournament’s growth, noting an increase in participants compared to the previous year. Lal highlighted the significance of including junior categories in the event, acknowledging the potential of these young athletes as future stars of tennis.
The tournament is being held at Victoria Tennis Court in Suva and is set to conclude tomorrow.