Fueling Champions: Acers Athletes Rise to the Challenge at JITIC U14 in el Salvador

With the invaluable support of the National Lotteries Authority, Acers Tennis Academy is proud to highlight the progress of two of our rising stars, Denney Estava and Sanjay Lake, who are currently representing the academy and Saint Lucia at the JITIC Under-14 Tennis Tournament in El Salvador.
This tournament stands as one of the top-tier events for juniors in the region, on par with the World Juniors and U14 Masters. It provides exactly the kind of high-level exposure and experience that Acers is committed to offering our athletes.

• The team left Saint Lucia on Friday, with Head Coach Scyla Murray leading the delegation. Competition began on Saturday with both players facing strong opponents in their opening matches:
• Denney fell to Barbados' Zane Kirton in straight sets (0-4, 0-4).
• Sanjay was matched against Patricio Alvarez from Mexico and also went down in straight sets (0-4, 1-4).

What followed, however, is what we truly celebrate at Acers, not just results, but growth, resilience, and determination.

In his second match, Denney fought back hard, defeating Jaysean Wells of Trinidad and Tobago in a gritty three-set battle (4-2, 2-4, 10-8). He then followed up with a commanding straight-sets win over Rocco Mendes from Curaçao (4-2, 4-2), showing maturity, discipline, and confidence on court, qualities we consistently nurture at the academy.

Sanjay, though falling in his second match to Costa Rican (2-4, 1-4), he continued to demonstrate mental toughness, work ethic, and a positive attitude throughout his matches, gaining the type of experience that builds champions over time.

This tournament is a true reflection of the work happening behind the scenes, on the court, in training, and in the hearts of our players, coaches, and families. The high standard of the event, the 14-court facility, and the level of play serve as reminders of what's possible when we invest in our athletes and fully utilize our resources, like Saint Lucia's own National Tennis Centre.

It's a proud moment for the academy," shared Coach Scyla Murray. "These kinds of tournaments challenge us, sharpen us, and show us where we're heading. Denney and Sanjay are representing all the hard work done by every member of the Acers family."

As the tournament continues, Denney remains in contention for the main draw, with two singles matches remaining. While Sanjay's results may not lead to qualification, the experience he's gaining is crucial and will serve him well in upcoming competitions.

On behalf of Acers Tennis Academy, we wish both athletes the very best as they continue to compete. We encourage all our juniors to stay motivated, keep working hard, keep pushing, and keep believing in your journey.

A heartfelt thank you to the National Lotteries Authority for their ongoing support and commitment to junior tennis. Your investment is helping shape the future of Saint Lucian tennis, one player at a time.