The National Bank of Anguilla Tennis Invitational was a monumental success according to the Organizing Committee Chairman Mr. Mark Phaup. The tournament was designed to compliment the opening of the Anguilla Tennis Academy’s facility on May 23. The tournament itself was mostly finished on May 25 but due to people travelling, some of the adult categories had to be finished at later dates.

Mixed Doubles Champions Jason Allen (L), Tanya Clarke (Centre) with Matt Cooper

In total, the tournament consisted of 13 categories and more than 30 tennis players from Sint Maarten made the trip to compete in this inaugural event. Players and spectators were absolutely in awe of the ATA’s new facility as well as the high level of organization and professionalism shown by staff as well as the many volunteers.

ne of the most exciting categories is always the mixed doubles and this year was no different. Fifteen teams signed up for the popular draw and it was a battle throughout the entire tournament. The number one seed team of Denny Derrick and Michelle Harrigan (both Anguillian National Champions) were taken out by a tough team in a third set tie-breaker by Shawn Romeny (head tennis professional of Cap Juluca) and Teresa Brooks (one of the best female junior players in the ATA’s programmes). Their win over Harrigan and Derrick propelled them into the finals. On the other side of the draw, the team of Rodney Ross (head tennis professional of Cuisinart Resort and Spa) and Eva McClean faced off against Jason Allen (Executive Director of the ATA) and Tanya Clark. In the beginning, it seemed like the Ross/McClean team had everything under control until Allen/Clark made a surge and pulled out a win in a third set tie-breaker to win a spot in the finals (final score 2-6, 7-6(7-5), (10-8). The finals were last week on Thursday, June 12 at 6pm at the ATA. Many members of the public came out to give support to both teams. It was a tough match that lasted over 90 minutes but in the end Jason Allen and Tanya Clark edged out the tough team of Shawn Romney and Teresa Brooks 6-4, 7-6(7-5) to be crowned the NBA Invitational Mixed Doubles Champions.

Another exciting category was the Men’s Professional Doubles. This category put the best pro tennis players against each other and the competition was fierce. The final match was played on Friday, June 13 at 5pm. The impressive team of Rodney Ross and Mark Phaup (former ATP tour player) had to play former college doubles partners Jason Allen and Matt Cooper (head pro of the ATA). Matt and Jason were doubles partners at Gardner-Webb University for a brief period of time and in the end their experience proved to make all the difference. Many tennis enthusiasts came out to enjoy a very high level of tennis. The public enjoyed it so much that they called for an encore performance in which the pros obliged to play four more games after the regulation match was over. In the end, Allen and Cooper ousted Phaup and Ross 6-1, 6-4 to gain the title of NBA Invitational Men’s Pro Doubles Champions.

In another competitive category, the Men’s Amateur Doubles was quite intense as well. The team of Vallan Hodge and Ira Bloom had to fight throughout the entire tournament to reach the finals where they had to play against Donald Curtis and Matt Trimble. It was a very tough match but in the end Hodge and Bloom took the first place prize crowning them as champions for their division. Players and spectators alike urged the organizers to do a similar event soon in the future as everyone thoroughly enjoyed the high level of play and professionalism. The ATA plans to have more corporate sponsored events in the future and will soon be finalizing a year schedule. Feel free to visit their website at www.anguillatennis.com for more information. Also, if any adults are interested in having their children learn tennis this summer, please sign them up online.

Jason Allen

Tshara Rogers

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