Tennis Jamaica President John Azar says his organisation is on the verge of opening a new tennis facility on the island’s north-west in order to host more local and international tournaments as part of their ongoing efforts to build the sport.

Azar said the opening of the eight-course facility in Montego Bay should cap off a very successful 2022 for Tennis Jamaica.

“We are taking over a tennis facility in the upcoming weeks in Montego Bay, and we will have access to anywhere between six and eight courts. And, again, it is going to open up what we will be able to do, in terms of hosting local events for players on that side of the island and also hosting international tournaments, as we aim to bring in players into the country to be in Montego Bay,” Azar told the Jamaica Observer.

“I mean, there is a lot happening on many fronts, and thank God I see everything that is happening as positive, so we are not getting complacent as we are certainly going to keep our foot on the gas, keep with this momentum, and hope to go from bigger to better,” the tennis boss continued.

Azar believes that by opening the new facility players in that area will be able to play the game without having to travel long distances to Kingston for matches.

“I think it is going to be great, because obviously we have to make accommodations for out-of-town players playing events in Kingston, but the more events we are able to host outside of Kingston would be better for them, in terms of travelling the distance.

“As you know, our mandate is not only Kingston-based; it is all island, and so I think it is very important to have a facility like that on the north-west side of the island as it will again open up another scope for what we will be able to accomplish,” Azar explained.

Azar said that, while the season is about to end, he has to give thanks to his members for their support.

“So we are looking at growing the sport at all levels. I think, when I look at success, again, one of the things that I personally take pride in is the tennis family,” he said. “The family is getting bigger; our membership at Tennis Jamaica is probably tripled in 2022, and the larger our family gets, you know you will have different opinions at times, which is healthy, but from my perspective, I take great pride in saying that the tennis family is united, I mean, it is really a pleasure doing what I do,” he affirmed.

— Ruddy Allen