RIO DE JANEIRO - Curaçao has qualified for the first time for the Beach Tennis World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, which takes place from October 3 to October 11.
One of the largest Beach Tennis flagship championships of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) is the ITF Beach Tennis World Team Cup, also known as the World Cup where 16 countries compete for the title. This tournament is like the Davis Cup for tennis. There are a select number of places available for participation per region. The countries with the highest ITF ranking points can qualify for the tournament. Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, Chile, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Mexico, Japan, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Russia, Bulgaria, France and Curaçao have qualified this year.
It is the first time that Curaçao will participate. The Curaçao Tennis Association (TCF) has nominated the following players: Janice Tjon Sien Kie, Michiel Noordhoek, Anne Rijks and Nick van Rosberg. Tjon Sien Kie, Noordhoek and van Rosberg have previously participated twice in the Pan American Championships, the regional beach tennis championships. At the World Cup, the Curaçao selection will have to play women's doubles, men's doubles and mixed.
"We are honored with the nomination, and we will also give 1000%. We also want to express our gratitude to the sponsors who made it possible for Curaçao. Artist Giovani Zanolino for the design of the game shirts, Curaçao Tourism Board, RE/ MAX Bon Bini, Trustmoore, MosaCana, Zanzibar, UDC, MRC, Changes, APC, Forza, Stich One, Ileana Liberia and of course the Tennis Federation Curaçao," says team captain Janice Tjon Sien Kie.
The largest beach tennis tournament of the ITF will also have the largest media coverage. The matches will be broadcast by SporTV and NSports. The official website of these championships is: https://itfbeachtennisworldcup-rio.com.br.
The draw took place on Monday 4 October and Curaçao is in the group of Spain, Chile and Portugal. The numbers 1 and 2 of the pool will then advance to the elimination round of 8. Curaçao will play its first group match on Tuesday on the beach of Copacabana Rio de Janeiro Brazil.