Nearly 110 tennis players from the Virgin Islands, the Caribbean and several U.S. mainland states are expected to compete in the Choice Wireless V.I. Open Tennis Tournament, set for Feb. 17-20 and hosted by the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC). Of these, nearly a half dozen world-ranked players are anticipated including Will Boe-Wiegaard of Easton, Connecticut, who won the men’s open singles division in this tournament in 2010, and Nick Monroe of Austin, Texas, who took the men’s open singles title in 2011.
Players can compete in eight divisions in this U.S. Tennis Association (USTA)-sanctioned tournament, including open divisions for both men NTRP ranking 4.5 and above in singles and doubles. The B division, for men and women NTRP ranked 4.0 and below, there is singles, doubles and mixed doubles play, as well as men’s over 60 doubles. Play will be best of three sets for all divisions. Draw will be closed at 16.
Winners in the open division receive a $2,000 cash prize and the runner-up pockets $1,000. Winners in the B division will get $600. Total prize money amounts to over $13,000. The entry fee of $45 per person for one event or $60 per person for two events includes an event T-shirt, souvenirs and a welcome buffet dinner at St. Thomas Yacht Club on Feb. 19.
The deadline to register is 5 p.m., Feb. 3. Registration forms can be downloaded at www.styc.net
Matches will take place on courts at the STYC, the host location for Semi-Finals and Finals play, as well as at the Sugar Bay Beach Resort & Spa and Anchorage Condominiums. They will be officiated by USTA and International Tennis Federation head referee Hector Figueroa from Puerto Rico. The public is invited to come out and watch the action.
The Choice Wireless VI Open Tennis Tournament is sponsored by Choice Wireless, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, St. Thomas Yacht Club, Sugar Bay Beach Resort & Spa, and Caribbean Auto Group
Special rates are available at the Sugar Bay Beach Resort & Spa from Feb. 14-23. Call the reservations office directly at 1-800-927-7100 and ask for the ‘Choice Wireless V.I. Open Tennis Tournament’ special rate.
For more information, call 244-2124 or e-mail: viopen@choice-wireless.com
