Fyffes Open is a smashing success again
The Fyffes junior louth open championships took place from June 25th -July 2nd and catered for over 200 players who travelled from all over Ireland to compete at the Ramparts.
The event began with the under 10 sections which was run over the first weekend of the tournament. Players from aged 7 competed on smaller courts with bigger tennis balls and smaller racquets.
Ran under ITF rules and regulations, tennis 10s really helps younger and smaller children develop at a steady pace.
Phoenix tennis events were also held for players who have not competed in many tennis tournaments, helping them obtain tournament experience and rack up lots of competitive matches.
In the main draw sections academy players at Dundalk featured heavily. The under 14 girls was a nail biting match between Nina Hjalmers and Zofia Mullen. Displaying tremendous amount of skill and power throughout the match both girls put on a great show with Nina Hjalmers coming out on top on a 6-4 7-5 scor line, taking the Louth Open Champion- ship for the first time.
In the boys section U16, local boys Daniel Mullen and Oisin Murtagh also put on a great match on the main court. Murtaghs aggressive style and Mullens ability to change up the pace of the match mixing with different spins and patterns of play made for a cracking contest. Lasting over two hours the match went the distance and Mullen came out the better on this occasion winning 6-4 2-6 6-3
Jack Hudson won the boys U18 section. At only 14 years old , Jack boasts a big left handed forehand and lefty serve and is certainly a player to watch for the future. Hudson defeated Cian McDonnell from Belfast in the final in yet again another three set battle , taking the title 6-4 2-6 6-1.
The girls U16 section continued to please the Fyffes Open crowd as the last singles match of the day between Anna Jones and Megan Chambers got underway. The day wouldn’t have been complete without another three set match and the players did not fail to produce more spectacular tennis. Jones came out victorious and won the match 6-3 4-6 6-3.
John McGahon , the director of the Fyffes open event said: ‘We are very thankful at Dundalk Tennis Club for the support of our sponsor Fyffes. This event has grown in numbers over the past seven years and continues to grow and attract players from abroad and throughout Ireland.
‘We are now preparing for our second ever international junior tennis event this August. Players will travel from across the globe to compete for junior world ranking points in their bid to to play at the major grand slam events.’