Tortola Sports Club Tennis captain Humphrey Leue, who competed last year, is organizing this year's tournament. Photo>Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

TORTOLA—Two new champions will be crowned from among the 50 participants who have met Monday’s registration deadline for the First Caribbean International Bank Tennis Tournament, which kicks off at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Tortola Sports Club in Pasea. Matches will be played at 5:00 p.m. daily through Nov 24.

Humphrey Leue, Tortola Sports Club Tennis Captain, said they have a very good turnout and he expects good competition. “We’ve gone back to the format where it’s a closed tournament—that is to say, opened to BVI residents only,” Leue explained. “Last year we opened it up and had a few players from St. Thomas and overseas, but, by popular demand, we have decided to keep the tournament closed this year.”

Leue said they have added an “A” and “B” format in the men’s division, noting more men than women are entering the tournament. He added it also gives more people exposure and experience and to showcase upcoming players. There are 14 women entrants who will also be participating in mixed doubles. Not many juniors have shown an interest in playing Leue said. “There are only two registered and that is not enough to have a proper tournament and that is something we’ll have to work on a little more for the next time around,” he said. “We might have the interested juniors we have come out and play a round robin format, depending on how many we have.”

Leue said they will use a double eliminate format, ensuring that each player will get a minimum of two matches, with the first set of losers going dropping into the consolation bracket. “If you keep winning, obviously, the further you go, the more you play,” he noted. “We’ll have a champion on the winning side and in the consolation side in both women and men’s divisions.”

The finals to determine the champions in the weeklong tournament, will be crowned on Nov 24.