Local tennis players get wake-up call
Local junior players must certainly have been awakened from their slumber, and should now be cognisant that they have to do more if they are to compete internationally.{{more}}
Thatâs the assessment of President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tennis Association, Anthony Boyea.
âIt was a wake-up call for our players. I donât think that they have seen that level of competition before,â Boyea said.
Boyea is hopeful that the exposure would prick the conscience of the young brigade and jolt them into action.
Boyea, who is also one of the top coaches here, said, âThey (the local players) are not playing enough tennis and are not taking part in enough tournaments.â
Drawing a parallel, Boyea spoke of one player who was here for the ITF championship, who practices four hours a day, six days a week.
âOur players donât even practise four hours per week,â Boyea lamented.
He thumbed the lack of commitment and other âdistractionsâ that hinder the localsâ forward march.
âThey are equipped with everything, the latest technology, but they lack commitment,â Boyea said.
To underline this lack of commitment and hunger for the sport, Boyea said that many of Vincentian players did not even take the time to look at the Finals.
âPlayers have to want itâ, Boyea opined. He disclosed that the championship was watched by the tennis coach of Norfolk University of the USA, where Vincentian Lerissa Morris is a student on a tennis scholarship.
Boyea disclosed that Trinidad and Tobagoâs Shannel Mohamed impressed the visiting coach, and will soon be on her way to Norfolk.(RT)