Anthony Downs and Cristy Campbell on Friday evening were rewarded for their sterling efforts in 2018 and presented with the top male and female awards at the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) award ceremony, hosted at the Georgetown Club.
Downs, for the seventh time in his career, ended the season as Guyana’s number one seeded male player while Campbell who is also the first vice-president of the association clinched the top female prize for the third consecutive year.
Meanwhile, the top junior awards went to Heimraj Resaul and Kalyca Fraser who were acknowledged as the male and female junior champions respectively.
Hayden Mentore and Saskia Persaud were presented with the most improved junior players’ awards as the coach of the year title went Shelly Daly- Ramdhayan.
In acknowledging their achievements after receiving their awards, both Resaul and Fraser expressed gratitude for the support given to them by their parents, friends and sponsors over the years which collectively fortified their involvement in the sport.
The seven-time champion Anthony expressed similar sentiments. Campbell on the other hand, recognised the wider tennis fraternity for the support given to the sport during 2018.
“[First and] foremost, I thank God for a healthy and successful 2018 for all of the players… To our sponsors, the entire tennis fraternity is grateful for your continued support and timely interventions,” the vice-president said.
She too noted the contributions of her family, adding: “mom, there aren’t words to express how appreciative I am for not only your presence tonight but throughout every aspect of my life.
“To my coach Dexter and all players not confined to my club, I can assure you that I try to incorporate every bit of advice not only to tennis but generally to be a better person.
“Thanks also to my trainer Paul, Asad, Linden and Dr Van West Charles for pushing me above and beyond my comfort zone daily. In conclusion, it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge my friend Nigel for introducing me to this glorious sport of tennis,” Campbell concluded while expressing her intent to develop the sport for the youth.
