The first of six weeks of World Tennis Junior Tournaments has begun at the National Tennis Centre in Accra, bringing together some of the region’s promising young tennis players.
The tournament’s main draw got underway on Monday, with organisers introducing a round-robin format for this year’s competition.
Players have been divided into eight groups of four, with the winner of each group progressing to the single-elimination quarter-finals.
The new format guarantees each player a minimum of three matches, giving the young athletes more competitive opportunities and valuable experience on the international junior circuit.
However, the qualifying draw has been restricted to 16 players, meaning 11 players from across West Africa who travelled to Accra hoping to enter the competition on site were unable to secure places.
On-site entry has traditionally provided an opportunity for visiting and local players to compete, and the situation has highlighted the need for clearer communication of entry requirements ahead of future tournaments.
Despite the challenges, the tournament is expected to provide a strong platform for young players to test themselves against international opposition.
Matches will be played daily from 08:00 to 18:00 at the National Tennis Centre, giving spectators the opportunity to watch junior tennis and experience the atmosphere of an international competition.
Among those attracting attention is 15-year-old Denzel Darkey, son of former Ghana No. 1 Gunther Darkey, who has travelled to Accra to compete.
Denzel’s court craft, composure and confidence have already caught the eye, with tennis fans expected to follow his progress as the tournament develops.
The tournament also comes after the resurfacing of the courts at the National Tennis Centre, part of efforts by Tennis Foundation Ghana to improve the facilities and promote the development of the sport in the country.
Officials from the Tennis Umpires Association of Ghana are officiating the matches, with chair umpires present from the opening rounds to ensure the rules are properly enforced.
The tournament is sanctioned by World Tennis and the Ghana Tennis Federation and hosted by Tennis Foundation Ghana.
The six-week series is expected to attract talented junior players from Ghana and across the West African region, while also providing an opportunity to showcase Accra as a destination for international junior tennis.
Organisers are encouraging tennis fans to visit the National Tennis Centre and watch the action throughout the six-week tournament.
The event is part of ongoing efforts to make Ghana tennis more competitive and provide young players with greater exposure to international-level competition.