Maltese tennis players in Yugoslavia training camp

Players from the Malta Tennis Federation were recently in Yugoslavia for a training camp during which the squad visited Panceuo and Novisad where they figured in tournaments.

Steffi Pace, Matthew Pace and Tanya Camilleri played in U-16 tournaments while Mark Schembri and Rosanne Dimech took part in other competitions in Belgrade. All matches were held on clay.

The Maltese delegation were guests at the Red Star Tennis Club. Their players sparred with the Maltese for four hours daily. This was possible thanks to the strong contacts that Malta coach Dusan has in Yugoslavia. He even managed to get sparring time for his players with the renowned Jelena Dokic.

In one junior competition, Camilleri and Steffi Pace secured direct entry to the main draw. The former beat her Red Star opponent 6-4 6-4 but Pace lost 6-4 6-2. In the next round Camilleri lost to a Romanian player 6-4 6-3.

The level of play in the Novisad tournament was much higher. Only Steffi Pace managed to gain direct entry into the main draw. Camilleri lost in the second round of the qualifiers while Matthew Pace beat his first round adversary but lost in the next round after three sets.

Steffi and Tanya took part in the doubles event and performed exceptionally well, bowing out in the quarter-finals of the main draw.

The team then stayed in Novisad training daily and also figuring in some matches.

Schembri played in a tournament in Belgrade, reaching the third round but then losing his match against a top U-18 Yugoslav player.

The venture in Yugoslavia was part of the Malta Tennis Federation's build-up programme for the GSSE Malta 2003 next year.