DFS Micronesian Tennis starts May 19

The Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Federation will hold the 25th Annual DFS Micronesian Tennis Championships starting next week at the Pacific Islands Club tennis courts.

The tournament will have doubles and junior singles on the first weekend from May 19 to May 21, while singles and junior doubles will follow in the second weekend from May 26 to May 29.

Categories in the doubles division are men’s 40-and-over, men’s open, men’s 3.0, women’s open, women’s 3.0, mixed doubles open, and mixed doubles 3.0. Junior players can chose from boys’ and girls’ 18-and-under, boys’ and girls’ 13-and-under, and boys’ and girls’ 9-and-under.

Singles divisions up for grabs are men’s 40-and-over, men’s open, men’s 4.5, men’s 4.0, men’s 3.0, men’s 2.0, women’s open, women’s 3.0, and women’s 2.0. Categories in junior doubles include boys’ and girls’ 18-and-under and boys’ and girls’ 13-and-under.

“Don’t miss this, the longest running and most prestigious event in NMI tennis history,” said NMITA vice president and tournament director Jeff Race.

Deadline for submission of completed entry forms and entry fee is on May 15, 5pm for participants of the doubles and junior singles divisions and May 21 for players signing up for singles and junior doubles.

Entry cost is $15 for participants of singles play and $10 per player seeing action in the doubles competition.

NMITA said it would be implementing a strictly “no pay, no play” policy for the event. Checks should also be made payable to the NMITA. The USTA National Tennis Ranking Program system of player classification would be employed for the tournament.

The doubles and juniors singles draw would be held on May 15, 8pm at the American Memorial Park tennis courts, while the singles and junior doubles draw would be held on May 21, 3pm at the PIC.

NMITA said players could only join one division in the four events offered—singles, doubles, junior, or mixed events. Matches on May 19 and May 26 would start 5:30pm. Players should also check match times posted at the AMP clubhouse bulletin board, PIC, or at All Sporting Goods.

For more information on the 24th Annual DFS Micronesian Tennis Championships, contact Race at 483-5652 or NMITA president and co-director Eli Buenavantura at 484-1558. (Mark Rabago)