The Liguanea Club in New Kingston will be buzzing with excitement starting on Monday with the second staging of the Real Equity Tennis Open Championships which is expected to attract some of the island’s top players.

Among the competitors is Blaise Bicknell, Jamaica’s highest-ranked tennis player at 397 in the world.

Bicknell, who has had an exceptional season, notably secured a historic bronze medal for Jamaica at the Central American and Caribbean Games in July. Other notable Jamaican players to compete include Rowland “Randy” Phillips and Blaise’s older brother Jacob.

Tournament director Llockett McGregor expressed his excitement about the event, noting the return of top players who haven’t participated in a local tournament for an extended period.

“I am very excited about the tournament this year, and we have some of our top players who we haven’t seen in a local tournament in a long time,” said McGregor.

“Players like Blaise Bicknell, Randy Phillips, and Jacob Bicknell have come back to play in this tournament, and I am very happy about that,” he added.

The tournament, scheduled from December 4 to 10, promises an exciting mix of local and international players. McGregor highlighted the anticipation surrounding how well players are performing at this time of the year.

Participants will compete across five categories, each vying for cash prizes. The categories include men’s singles open; ladies’ singles open; men’s class two and three amateur; ladies B; and a consolation doubles event. McGregor said that over 100 entries have been received.

Real Equity, the main sponsor, has elevated the championship by adding two categories — the open singles for men and open singles for ladies. McGregor emphasised the growth from an amateur to an open tournament in just two years.

Cash prizes for the winners include $300,000 for the men’s open singles champion and $100,000 for the ladies’ open singles champion. The tournament is to begin at 5:00 pm each day.