Junior Tennis Players Set High Standards.
FORMER “Junior Sportsman for the Year” AdrielBousquet emerged champion in the Boys 18s when the curtains came down on the 5th Annual Easter Junior Tennis Tournament at the St. Lucia National Tennis Centre in Beausejour under scorching heat last Saturday morning.
Bousquet powered his way to victory against Clent Mitchell despite losing the first set 6 -2. With all to play for in the second, he breezed past Mitchell 6 – 0 to set up a third set for the championship. Going into the third, Bousquet maintained his dominance throughout with some outstanding play to the delight of the small crowd to win 6 – 1.
Soon after, in the boys doubles, it was easy sailing for Bousquet and Nicholas St. John as they defeated Mitchell and Zachary du Boulay 6 – 2, 6 – 3 to emerge as Boys 18s Doubles champions.
Tournament Director Diana Stanislaus says that the tournament was a great sensation with the junior players on the island particularly the male categories coming to the fore. The tennis fan base have not stopped talking about the impressive lengthy rallies and calculated point winners displayed by most of the players.
She said; “The tournament has been dubbed the best junior tournament of the year” by coaches, parents and spectators alike. The standard was set pretty high from the 10s, 14s and 18s categories. It was great practice for the junior players and has assisted in competitive match play, great sportsmanship. It also taught the juniors the true meaning of competing fairly as well as how to win and lose graciously as they showed true grit and battled till the last advantage point”.
Stanislaus said, the likes of NadjemaMorille, Aidan Bousquet, IshmelMoise, Amelia Rosemond, Iyana Paul, ReidelClerville, Troy Joseph and AlannahBousquet and new to the NTC scene Aviona Edmund were all names to remember in this tournament and reassured tennis fans it won’t be the last time they will see these young and aspiring players on centre court exhibiting their skills.
Young ‘Bousquet’ should be given great encouragement to reach his potential best.