ASPIRING junior tennis players desirous of playing in international tournaments scheduled for year-end will have the opportunity to sharpen their skills for these overseas competitions during the fourth staging of the Mayberry Investments Limited Open Junior Tennis Championships.

The two-day event is scheduled for this weekend at the Liguanea Club, New Kingston. According to tournament director Llockett McGregor, preparations are in high gear for the Junior Orange Bowl and Little Mo International Tennis Championships.

“This tournament is a good opportunity for the players participating in these events to improve their skills. It also serves as a good warm-up for junior tennis players in general,” McGregor said.

The 53rd Junior Orange Bowl International Tennis Championship set for December 14-23, 2014 promises to once again host the best 12 & under and 14 & under tennis players in the world. More than 1,400 players from over 74 countries will travel to South Florida to compete in one of the most prestigious tournaments on the amateur tennis circuit.

The two-day event serves off on Saturday at 9:00 am and the finals are set to begin on Sunday at 2:00 pm. The competition will engage approximately 90 players — boys and girls in the age-group categories 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18. The players will not only be playing for a trophy, which is the grand prize, but also points that will add to their national ranking.

Anika Smith, assistant vice-president for marketing at Mayberry Investments Limited, said her company is proud to be partnering with tennis again because it is important for the continued development of the sport in Jamaica.

“We are pleased to be sponsoring this event as it is important for the development of youth tennis in Jamaica. It also creates a medium for players to hone their skills ahead of other local and international tournaments,” Smith said.

According to the organisers, the level of participation expected will lend credence to the growing level of support in Jamaica at the junior level and will address the overall aim of boosting the level of play in the sport.