Ali Thameem
The U16 Junior Maldives Open, the first-ever ATF-sanctioned tournament in Maldives, has started.
The tournament, which is held at the National Tennis Centre in Malé, features 32 players from seven nations, with the majority being Maldivians: 11 girls and 6 boys.
“I think as a team, we all want a Maldivian to be able to win this tournament,” says Daoud Shaheed, one of the participants in the Junior Open. Speaking to the Tennis Association of Maldives he said “My goal is to play my game without giving in to the opponent and at least make it to the semifinals”. Daoud, who went on to win yesterday’s singles game 6-4, 6-0 against Platon Kovalyov, is set to play the Brazillian Daniel Carvalho Becker in the singles quarterfinal game this morning.
Daoud expressed his confidence in progressing in the tournament: “I think we have gained quite a lot of experience playing against other countries in other tournaments”. Daoud says that home advantage is a big factor in this tournament “I don’t think they (international players) are used to playing on these types of surfaces” adding that “even though they’ll know how to play on hard court, they won’t know the pace of the ball and everything, so I think we have a huge home-court advantage”.
Speaking to TAM, Nayara Usama Ali said she and the other Maldivian players have a good home advantage against international players “because we know how to play on these courts – like the speed, the height, the environment.. and our families and friends, everybody is here to support us”. Nayara, who won yesterday’s RO16 game 6-3, 6-1 against Saara Saamee, will play against Aishath Livia Khatheer in the singles quarterfinal game today.
Reflecting on improvements within the previous year, Aishath Karin Saizan mentioned “The new coach has taught us many things, like footwork, forehand and serve”, adding that she is glad to play an international tournament at home in Male’ “I am happy that my family get to show up and watch the games”.
“I think it will be a great improvement for the future of tennis in Maldives” adds Aara Aasal Azim. “And the young athletes, since it is a sixteen-and-under tournament, will be getting a lot of experience”. Aara says that her target is to reach the finals “and ultimately win the tournament”. Aara won yesterday’s RO16 game 6-4, 6-1 against Manha Mohamed. She plays Karin today in the singles quarterfinals.
The U16 Junior Maldives Open, which is the first ATF-sanctioned tournament in Maldives, has been remarked as a landmark for the local tennis community. The tournament is scheduled to continue until the 21st of December.
