Courtesy of: Aruba Daily
ARUBA – The largest Beach Tennis tournament in the world, the Divi Aruba Beach Tennis Open, is underway. Last Monday registration started and players from 20 countries and a whole bunch of locals stood in line to pay and get their goodie bags and wristbands. During the coming days many more participants will keep arriving at the airport, as they are going to play in the doubles event which starts on Friday. But first it’s time for singles!
The 2014 Divi Aruba Beach Tennis Open is a World Tour event with $ 34.500 in prize money; the amateur event is held simultaneously in the categories Fun, Intermediate, Advanced, Open and Masters. The Pro players have come in force: world champion, European Champion and Italian champion Alessandro Calbucci is one of them. Calbucci has won the Aruba Open a few times already and is a much-liked presence on the island. He is in good company, as world-ranked Marco Garavini (1), Vinicius Font (3), Alex Mingozzi (4), Michele Cappeletti (5), Marcus Ferreira (6), Matteo Marighella (9), Joana Cortez (4), Samantha Brijan (7) and Flavia Muniz (5) are here as well to play in the soft sand against fierce opposition. Aruba’s world-ranked participants are Maria Buuts (20), Betza Rasmijn (46), Randy Helgers (88) and Ricardo de Vreede (120). We’re keeping our fingers crossed for them!
The site at Eagle Beach is sizzling with anticipation and the Amstel Bright Stadium is ready to receive loads of spectators and fans who will cheer on their countrymen. The Food Court and Hooters Bar are well stocked for the extraordinary coming week filled with major fun, smiles and sportsmanship.
Photos show the first wave of participants at the registration tables, an overview of the action in the sand, world champion Alessandro Calbucci practicing his service and the DJ’s getting their sound system in order for lots of rousing hit songs. Eagle Beach is ready for action!
