Brothers Shane, Troy out Davis Cup

Only yesterday afternoon Trinidad and Tobago Tennis Association (TTTA) Public Relations Officer (PRO) Anthony Jeremiah announced Shane and Troy have taken up new jobs in the United Kingdom and are likely to miss the Davis Cup tournament in August.

Jeremiah revealed further, the Stone brothers will also miss this year’s Evian sponsored-National Championship at the Port-of-Spain Public Courts.

The tournament will be held from July 2-16, and apart from the Stone brothers, a number of top players will not be taking part. However, other leading players have been confirmed for the tournament, including local champion Ivor Grazette.

According to tournament referee Anthony Jameson, the action will go on as usual and it will not be short of competition.

He made it clear that a number of junior players have moved onto the senior bracket and the emergence of a number of talented young tennis players will be on show.

Sponsors Evian, the provider of water, have pumped approximately $35,000 into the staging of the tournament with $4,000 going to the winner of the men singles while the winner of the women singles will receive a handsome $2,500 pay cheque. Men doubles winners will take home $600 and the women $400.

Mixed doubles winners will each pocket a similar $400 and the Veteran singles winners, will get a $500 pay package.

Jameson pointed out, however, since the men singles surpassed the required 32 players, a qualifying tournament will be held on the weekend to whittle down the field.

He said, to date there are 35 entrantsin the men singles which automatically sends them into a play-off, following a draw today. Jameson was also quick to point out that there will be additional qualifying tournaments for women and veterans, if the entries surpasses the stipulated 24 players.

According to Jeremiah approximately 100 players are expected to take part in the tournament from different divisions.

He expressed the view that with most of the local players going abroad to compete in tournaments at a certain time, officials will have to adjust the schedule date of the local competitions to enable all the top players to compete.

Matches will begin at 4.15 pm during the week and from 9.30 am or 10 am on the weekends, according to the draw.