Eight junior players obtained some very encouraging results after competing in their second annual LTA rating tournaments in the UK earlier this month.
The contingent, composed of Bernard and Matthew Cassar Torregiani, Zach Ciappara, Robert Montanaro Gauci, Raphael Sammut, Katrina Sammut, Alexia Cassar and Rebecca McCarthy, all aged between 11 and 16, took part in the Tipton and Shrewsbury Welti events.
At the renowned Tipton Indoor Tennis Centre, the Maltese team played well and all achieved remarkable results in each age group.
They reached either the quarter- or semi-finals in their respective events with the most significant success achieved by Bernard and Matthew Cassar Torregiani who won the boys’ doubles.
Results were even better in Shrewsbury.
Sammut won the boys U-14 tournament and McCarthy reached the final of the girls U-14.
After failing to profit from five match points in the second set, McCarthy lost 6-4 in the third set.
The Cassar Torregiani duo again won the doubles event and McCarthy and Alexia Cassar emulated their team-mates in the girls doubles.
Accompanying coaches Robert Tarpey and Omar Suzuka were satisfied with the overall performance but were also notably pleased with the remarkable progress of the two younger players in the team – Ciappara and Katrina Sammut.
In their first MTF-funded trip outside Maltese shores, the two promising players did well to gain valuable experience in competitive matches while playing against some of the top juniors in the UK.
“It has been a great pleasure to travel with this team,” Tarpey said.
“They represented their country well and showed great com-mitment. Their on-court behaviour was indeed exemplary.”
MTF president David Farrugia Sacco congratulated the players and coaches for the excellent results.
He said opportunity for participation abroad may only come about through the combination of support from parents and sponsors GasanMamo Insurance.
Julian Mamo, of GasanMamo, said it was events such as these that reflect his company’s corporate social responsibilities, even more when they are supplemented by such positive results.