Saint Lucia Juniors Battle at JITIC U14 Tournament in El Salvador

With the ongoing support of the National Lotteries Authority, a determined team of two junior tennis players, Denney Estava and Sanjay Lake, departed Saint Lucia on Friday for El Salvador to compete in the prestigious JITIC Under-14 Tennis Tournament. Accompanied by Head Coach and Team Captain, Scyla Murray, the athletes are gaining invaluable experience at one of the highest-ranked U14 tournaments in the region, alongside the World Juniors and the Under-14 Masters.

Competition kicked off on Saturday, and both players faced tough first-round opponents.
Denney Estava fell to Barbados' Zane Kirton in straight sets (0-4, 0-4).

Sanjay Lake was defeated by Patricio Alvarez of Mexico, also in straight sets (0-4, 1-4). Despite the rough start, Denney rebounded impressively in his second singles match, grinding out a hard-fought three-set victory over Jaysean Wells of Trinidad and Tobago (4-2, 2-4, 10-8). He followed that up with a confident straight-sets win against Rocco Mendes from Curaçao (4-2, 4-2), showing resilience and growing comfort with the level of play.

Sanjay, meanwhile, continued to show heart and effort on court but was unable to turn the tide in his second match, falling to a Costa Rican opponent Lucas Mattos in straight sets (2-4, 1-4).

This tournament, known for its depth and quality, is proving to be a challenging but rewarding test for the young athletes. Coach Murray praised both the organization of the event and the quality of the facilities, noting the tournament is being hosted at a well-maintained center with 14 courts, offering an ideal environment for junior player development.

"It's inspiring to see junior tennis played at this level within our region. It's not only a test for our players but also an eye-opener. Tournaments like these help our young athletes understand the level of commitment and consistency needed to succeed,"

Said Coach Murray. She also highlighted the importance of appreciating and properly utilizing Saint Lucia's own National Tennis Centre, drawing comparisons to the care and attention seen in El Salvador's facilities.

As play continues, Denney remains in contention for a spot in the main draw, with two singles matches remaining. With three losses, Sanjay's chances are slim, but the exposure and experience gained are invaluable stepping stones in his development.

Special thanks goes out to the National Lotteries Authority for their continuous support of junior tennis development in St Lucia, Their investment makes these international opportunities possible. 

The Saint Lucian tennis community is encouraged to continue supporting these young athletes as they represent the nation with courage and commitment on the international stage. Further upqates will be provided as the tournament progresses.