JAMAICA ARE set to host the International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour M15000 tournament. Tennis Jamaica president John Azar sees the competition as an opportunity for local players to improve their international standings.

This will be the first time in 21 years that Jamaica will host an international professional tennis tournament. The events will run across three weeks, with the first day of action starting tomorrow, the second day on May 20, and the final day of action being May 27.

Athletes from more than 30 countries across the globe will travel to the island for a chance to earn world-ranking points. Azar said the tournament will provide an opportunity for local players who would not have been able to compete at the professional level.

These local players will get the chance to test their mettle against international competition and improve their global rankings.

“It allows them the opportunity of a lifetime because even if a lot of them were to travel, they would not be able to gain entry into events like this elsewhere,” he said.

“But through the national association, we get a number of wildcards which we’re able to allow local players that opportunity.”

Azar called the tournament a massive achievement for Tennis Jamaica as generations of Jamaican players would not have had the opportunity to compete at the professional level because of a lack of locally hosted tournaments.

He said regardless of the game’s results, the opportunity to play against world-class competition will be invaluable.

“This is a massive opportunity. As I said, we haven’t held one in over 21 years. With the life of an athlete, that’s two or three generations of players in Jamaica who would not have had this opportunity. Outside of the results themselves, just having our players training and playing with players at a higher standard will undoubtedly lift their games and improve their skills.”

The tournament will be hosted at the Eric Bell National Tennis Centre and Liguanea Club in Kingston, with shuttles available for transportation between both locations.

Gareth Walker, general manager of Liguanea Club, said the decision to partner with Tennis Jamaica to host matches was a “no-brainer” for the club.

“It was a no-brainer for us in many respects given our history with tennis and sports generally,” he said.

“We recognise at the club that this is a massive opportunity for the sport and for Jamaica as tourism and sports tourism is growing.

“I also want to wish the players all safety on the courts, and we’re looking forward to some really exciting tennis.”