Junior tournament gets record entries

The Namibian Tennis Association (NTA) junior tournament kicked off at different venues last weekend at the Central Tennis Courts in Olympia, NamPol and Eros.
More than sixty kids in the age groups Under-8 to U-18 had registered to win NTA ranking points in singles and doubles matches.
A highlight for the NTA was the very high number of players in the age group U-8 where more than 30 players turned up.
The matches in this age group were played on Saturday morning at the Eros tennis courts in two different formats.
At the so called “red court” juniors play at less than half the size of a normal tennis field with bigger and softer balls which are easier to hit and bounce less than normal balls.
The more experienced U-8 kids played at the “orange” court with orange balls which are faster and more difficult to play.
Tournament director Kallie Heese of the Kallie Tennis School (KTS) who recently took over responsibility of organizing the NTA Junior tennis events, was very pleased with the high number of kids playing in the youngest age group.
“The number of kids entering in the U-8 age group is a new record for NTA tournaments,” he said.
One of the best games in the tournament was the win of Oliver Diggle who beat Risto Shikongo in three tight sets 6-1, 0-6, 6-3 in the boys U-16 final.
Another high quality match was the girls’ U-18 final between Emma Bastiaans and Leandri Dreyer who had travelled all the way from the //Kharas region to play in the tournament.
In a tight encounter with many long base line strokes Bastiaans finally won 6-2, 7-6.
A large group of parents and spectators enjoyed the last single final of the U-12 boys played between Albertus Brinkmann and Daniel Jauss, son of former Namibian Davis Cup player Theo Jauss.
Albertus Brinkmann won by 6-2, 6-2.
NTA president Sam Kaulinge handed over medals to all winners.
“I am very happy with the record turn up of players in this tournament” he said.
“I have to thank all the parents for giving their support as well.”

KALLIE HEESE