South West Open aims for record participation

Organisers of the South West Open Tennis Championship are aiming for a record field when the third annual tournament serves off at Raymond Forde National Tennis Centre from July 19 to 25.

After attracting 35 entrants last year, organisers are targeting at least 40 players in the singles competition and 15 or more pairs in the doubles events. 

The tournament will feature Men’s and Women’s Singles along with the doubles competition, and already has seven international players confirmed ahead of the July 16 registration deadline.

Darian King captured the inaugural Men’s Singles  title in 2024, while Xavier Lawerence is the defending champion.

Speaking during the event’s launch recently, Tournament Director Justin Atkins revealed the breakdown in prize money. “The first place will be ranging from  around Barbados $3 000 to $5 000, with the runner up receiving between $2 000 to $1 200  and third place, $800 to $500.”

 Atkins explained his motivation for staging the competition.

“So for me, after competing in my fair share of tournaments, I decided I wanted to create something that was synonymous with what I would want a tennis tournament to be. 

“It’s my hope that this tournament attracts a different caliber of players not only from Barbados but even internationally,” he revealed. “Each year it has happened to grow in numbers and from the last year it has had a UTR system which is a universal tennis ranking. This will allow our players locally and international players to have this universal rating which can then boost their rankings from all over the world.” 

Atkins revealed that his long-term vision was for the tournament to evolve into a more international event featuring more than 90 participants.

(KH)