Virgin Islands Tennis Open
Tennis players from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Caribbean, U.S. and the world are set to compete in the Choice Wireless VI Open Tennis Tournament. Scheduled for May 26-30 and hosted at the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC), there will be outstanding talent making, a tennis-lover’s dream.
“We have many returning players and several new players. The competition will be intense, the court side viewing riveting and the overall atmosphere exciting. The St. Thomas Yacht Club invites you to come out to support our competitors and enjoy quality tennis in the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said tournament director J.P. Montegut.
Returning player, Stan Myrie-G from St. Croix’s, has participated in all but one Choice tournament each time either winning or reaching finals in the Men’s 60-Plus Doubles. Myrie-G will compete in the same class again with partner Randolph Chapman.
“The senior adult teams on St. Thomas are extremely competitive and I like to play there,” said Myrie-G, who learned to play tennis as a 23-year-old in the Army, subsequently attended North Idaho College on a tennis scholarship and since then moving to the V.I. in 1995, has had the honor of coaching the territory’s Davis Cup and Pan American Games teams.
Sharon Flamon of St. Thomas, a stalwart and often semi-finalist player in the tournament, will be playing in Women’s Doubles with Hanne Buckhalton and in Mixed Doubles with Freddy Rabuse also of St. Thomas.
“I enjoy the commitment and passion that so many players have for tennis. We don’t have many tournaments, so this one is very special for locals. It brings all the players and clubs together,” said Flamon.
The St. Thomas Yacht Club will host the matches along with the Anchorage Condominiums. USTA and International Tennis Federation officials will officiate.Players will be competing in 10 divisions, this is the only tennis tournament in the U.S. Virgin Islands sanctioned by the USTA’s Caribbean District. There are two Open Divisions for men’s singles and doubles. In the B Divisions, there are men’s and women’s singles (NTRP rating 4.0 and 3.0 and under), men’s and women’s doubles, mixed doubles and men’s doubles (for players age 60-plus years). Play will be best of three sets for all divisions, with the total prize money amounts to over $13,000.
“The Choice Wireless VI Open is the premier tournament in the Caribbean where local and international players prove their skills on the court. There are very few destinations in the world where you can play or watch professional level tennis steps from pristine beaches. We welcome players and tennis enthusiasts to join us for a grand competition and enjoy our islands,” said Tony Shepherd, CEO and general manager of Choice Wireless.
The Choice Wireless VI Open Tennis Tournament is sponsored by Choice Wireless, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, Caribbean Auto Mart, STYC and USTA Caribbean.
