Top tennis players lined up for Real Equity Open

A number of the island's top tennis players are scheduled to suit up for this weekend's start of the Real Equity Open Tennis Championships, which is set to serve off on Saturday at Liguanea Club in New Kingston.

Among those down to compete are Blaise Bicknell, Rowland "Randy" Phillips and Nicholas Gore. The championships will run from December 6-13.

Bicknell, who is currently ranked 490 in the world, has been the country's top-ranked tennis player for the past seven years.

Tournament director Llockett McGregor said he is expecting a very exciting championship because all the competitors are eager to put on a strong showing in front of their friends and family.

"This tournament has normally been one of the biggest tournaments that we have because this is our end-of-year tournament, and a lot of our top players like Blaise Bicknell, Randy Phillips and Nicholas Gore will be taking part," he said.

"It is going to be very competitive because I know that all the players are looking forward to this tournament because this is the end-of-year tournament, it is the Llockett McGregor series, so it has always been a very competitive tournament," McGregor said.

The participants will compete in the men's open singles, the men's Class Two and Class Three open singles, as well as an amateur female singles championship.

McGregor noted that all proceeds from the tournament will go towards victims of Category Five Hurricane Melissa.

"I want the fans to come out and support this tournament because there is going to be a lot of exciting competition this year, and it is open to the public for everyone to come out and have a good time," he noted.

- R.B.