Staff Reporter
The Trustco NTA Junior Masters tournament slated for this coming weekend promises to deliver nothing but fireworks as local players vie to bring the curtain down on this year’s junior tennis activities in thrilling style.
Activities start tomorrow and run until Saturday. Hosted by Trustco Group Holdings Ltd and the Namibia Tennis Association (NTA), the Trustco NTA Junior Masters remains a select event with a high level of prestige among the country’s top qualifying junior players.
This prestigious event is by invitation only and players qualify based on ranking points.
Despite the difficult circumstances brought about by the devastating Covid-19 pandemic, the players continued to train diligently and entered tournaments under strict Covid-19 regulations in order to accumulate enough ranking points to qualify for this weekend’s tournament.
It is these points that determine the top eight in each age and gender category, from which the best of the best in Namibia are then invited to participate in the Junior Masters, with ages ranging from U/10 to U/18.
This weekend, players participating in the age groups U/12 to U/18 will play two full sets with a super tiebreak up to 10 points in the case of one set all.
The U/14 to U/18 players final will comprise three full sets. The U/10 players will use green dot balls and play one pro set up to eight games. If the score is seven games all, a normal tiebreak up to seven points will be played. Games will start at 14h00
tomorrow, and continue at 08h00 on Saturday morning.
“We are obviously excited and can’t wait to have our juniors back for a final showdown on our own courts in this coming tournament. Several of our age groups travelled the past few months and also throughout the year to compete in international events and we expect them to display the experience they gained there,” said Neville Basson, head of corporate communications at Trustco.
NTA’s chairperson for junior tennis, Santie van Der Walt said, “We are grateful for Trustco Group’s sponsorship of this tournament. They have shown time and again how much of a priority their social investment in local tennis is. Different sporting codes like cricket and athletics have raised the Namibian flag to a level not seen before. For tennis, it is Trustco’s contribution that allows that to happen for us as well. Once again, thank you Trustco!’’ she said.
With Covid-19 restrictions now relaxed, a higher turnout of tennis enthusiasts is expected at various tennis courts around Windhoek in support of the country’s junior masters. Matches will be played at the following venues; DTS, SKW, Police and CTC tennis courts.