Ramdyhan defeats Gentle for Courts Junior Lawn Tennis title

Oct 02, 2013 Sports

In its inaugural year of sponsorship of Lawn Tennis, Courts had something to cheer about last Saturday when the level of competition among junior tennis players lived up to all expectations. Top Juniors Daniel Lopes, Nicola Ramdyhan and Jordan Beaton all walked away victorious when the curtains came down on the 2013 Courts Junior Lawn Tennis Tournament.
Guyana top Under-18 female player, Nicola Ramdyhan defeated the favorite and regional Under-14 Champion, Afruica Gentle in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 to maintain her title of Junior Girls Champion at the National Racquet Centre.
Ramdyhan showed more grit and determination to beat her young rival, who has been creating a buzz on the local tennis scene. She served strategically and played the critical points well, which wore down the young Gentle despite her athleticism.

The various prize winners from the Courts Junior Lawn Tennis competition pose with Director of Marketing at Courts, Molly Hassan (left) and other Courts and GLTA Executives following the prize giving ceremony.

After the win, Nicola Ramdyhan congratulated her opponent. “She is a tough contender who always brings out my ‘A’ game. The tournament overall was good for me,” she stated.
Watched by a crowd of players, parents and Courts representatives, Daniel Lopes edged out his close friend and doubles partner, Gavin Lewis in a hard fought three-set match 4-6, 6-3, 10-4 at the highpoint of the afternoon sun.
It was the great disparity in confidence and not tennis that determined the winner. Deep into the third set super tie breaker, Lewis visibly lacked the mental toughness to go for shots and Lopes capitalised on this to close out the match and take the coveted title of Junior Boys Champion.
Earlier, one of Guyana’s bright young prospects 11-year-old, Jordan Beaton pulled off the tournament greatest upset against the 14-year-old, Keshon Reece 1-4, 4-2 and 10-4. Reece has been the U-14 Champion for the last two years.
Tournament Coordinator and National Coach, Shelly Ramdyhan implored on all the players that fitness is the key to playing in these conditions. She noted that it is now top priority in the junior development as the fitness regime is being revised.
She also noted that the turn out for this tournament was large, which reflects an increase in interest in the sport.
“Some 61 participants played in the tournament with a total of 116 matches over the past three weekends in five categories and this spells good for junior tennis in Guyana. It is great to see that the parents are taking the sport of Lawn Tennis seriously,” Ramdyhan said.
First Vice-President of the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association, Grace McCalman reiterated that the sport of tennis in Guyana is not where it should be, but that sponsorship and parental support are key components for its growth.
“Courts have always been a partner in local tennis through support for coaches’ development and now we have two primary junior coaches Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan and Leyland Leacock. But now that Courts have become the second annual sponsor on the junior tournament calendar, this is very significant for the GLTA’s ambitions,” McCalman said.
Courts Marketing Director, Molly Hassan expressed strong sentiments about her company’s support for tennis and was impressed at the way the matches in the tournament were organised efficiently. She recounted learning to play tennis at the same facility many years ago and was elated at the large number of youths, who are now involved in the sport.
Courts’ Public Relations Officer, Kester Abrams also plays tennis.
Hassan praised the GLTA for their professionalism and commitment to revive a dying sport and pledged annual support for the tournament. She charged the young players to aim high and to make her company proud by aiming for recognition regionally and possibly internationally.
This tournament is one of two competitions, which serve as a qualifier and a warm up for the Inter Guyana Games for tennis later this month in French Guiana.