Black and Bicknell take RTA-EY Tennis Tournament

Photo: Hurricane Tyra Black and Blaise Bicknell: winners of the RTA/EY Tennis Tournament 

Sunday May 18th marked the official end of an extraordinary event put on by the RTA and EY and also the beginning of a new era in the development of Jamaican tennis. 

The famous quote from American athlete Mike Singletary “Do you know what my favourite part of the game is? The opportunity to play” sums up the RTA’s vision i.e. to offer young people more opportunities in the sport of tennis than ever before.

This signature event is a part of RTA’s plans to achieve widespread reach of tennis in the country.  This will act as the impetus for youths to discover talent they never knew they had and allow them to strive to be the best that they can be.

Results from Sunday’s matches:

Blaise Bicknell now ranked US #1 12 and under junior player and #2 seed Roger Lyn played one of the greatest matches seen on Jamaican soil in many year, as was expressed by the appreciative audience. 2 hours later the Blaising Bicknell returned for another sterling performance against #1 seed Dimitri Bird to further thrill the spectators to claim the RTA EY Top 16 title 6/2, 7/5.

In the Girls Top 8 Event Super Star Tyra Hurricane Black made an indelible mark on Jamaica’s female tennis by setting a record of not losing 1 game of the entire tournament. Final results Semifinals 6/0, 6/0 against Shea-Ann Kameka and for the RTA EY Top 8 title against Shaeda Nickle 6/0, 6/0.

The tournament was a huge success and the next major event on the RTA calendar will be to host the Top 8 Men and Women Invitational Tournament later in the year.  Foreign-based players will be invited to participate.  This event will showcase our top players, including Tyra Hurricane Black’s elder sister, Alicia Tornado Black, the #3 ranked ITF player in the world (age 18 and under).