Venom and Holder return to defend Road Tennis Open crowns

Three-time defending men’s champion Mark Venom Griffith will be aiming for a fourth consecutive Barbados Road Tennis Open title, maintaining his perfect record since the tournament’s inception in 2022.

Returning women’s champion Kim Holder, meanwhile, seeks her third championship in four years when the 2025 edition serves off on Saturday, August 9, the weekend after Crop Over.

The prestigious tournament, organised by the National Sports Council (NSC) under the chairmanship of Sean Burke, will follow the same fixture structure as previous editions. It is expected to run through to the latter half of September.

Registration opens on July 14 and continues until July 25. Players can sign up weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the National Sports Council offices at the Wildey Gymnasium.

Prize money remains unchanged from last year, with over $160 000 on offer for men and women combined. The men’s and women’s champions will each receive $20 000.

Burke confirmed the contentious video review system will be in place, as organisers collaborate with the Road Tennis Officiating Association, which provides 12 to 16 line officials for the marquee competition.

“It is pretty much the same, just improving upon it. We are still trying to confirm things. Registration has not started as yet, but hopefully the champions would want to defend,” said the Ministry of Sports official, who also confirmed that the Barbados Road Tennis Association (BRTA) are on board as partners of the Road Tennis Open.

Defending champion Holder won the inaugural women’s title in 2022, and tasted glory once again in 2024 after rallying from a game down to defeat last year’s runner-up Sheldene Walrond 2-1 in the best of three games (19-21, 21-16, 21-17). Walrond won the title in 2023.

Men’s champion Venom, who also conceded the first game, stung 2024 runner-up Dario Hinds 3-1 in the best of five games.

The Barbados Road Tennis Open remains the island’s most prestigious competition for the sport, promising high-quality matches, significant rewards, and strong spectator interest as road tennis continues to grow in popularity across the country.

rohansonnwaithe@barbadostoday.bb