Bermuda's junior tennis players are at a disadvantage against their peers worldwide because they lack world-ranking points to get into international tournaments.

That's why having tournaments such as the ongoing Bank of Bermuda ITF World-Ranking Junior Tournament - which designates wild cards to the host nation - are important to give local juniors the opportunity to get their first points, says COTECC's (the ITF's regional tennis body) Technical Director Cecilia Ancalmo.

Even just five points from a single victory can be the difference between being accepted or denied entry into another event on the ITF (International Tennis Federation's) junior circuit.

“The regional circuit is so strong that if you don't have any points, it's hard to get into a tournament anywhere. So for the Bermudian kids it's very important to have this opportunity to play and win points so that if they want to go and play in another tournament they have a better chance of getting into that tournament.

“Once you get at least five points for winning a round that's much better than not having any points. Once you have points all tournaments have to consider you if you enter - either for qualifying round or for the main draw. You are considered because they know you because you are in the computer,” explained Ancalmo, who leaves Bermuda today after observing the first few days of competition at the Tennis Stadium.

Without world-ranking points, she added, players are considered on the basis of other factors, including their nationality and national ranking.

“It gets a bit more complicated.”

Noting that, based on what she has seen, young Bermudians lack the experience that the foreign players competing here have, the ITF official says she thinks this tournament has been a valuable eye-opener for the local contingent.

“They are competing against players who are on the circuit all year-round. They can share experiences with them and get an idea of what they do and how they train in order to reach the level that they have.

“Nowadays, players trying to make it onto the circuit and have successful careers train at least two or three hours every day. I don't think many players are spending that much time in training here.

“I have seen them (the Bermudians) upset after losing and that's a good reaction because they want to win and so they have to start examining ‘How can I win?' and they will realise the answer: spend more time on the court.”

Bringing this standard of tennis to the Island is “a really big achievement for COTECC” noted Ancalmo because “we are trying to build a strong circuit of ITF junior tournaments for regional players”. The Bermuda event now extends the summer junior Tour to 23 tournaments.

Asked if the Island - the second stop on the circuit - would be a regular destination for juniors in the future, she replied: “That's what we hope for. That's the idea. We have some tournaments in the region that are in their 30th edition.”

Ancalmo, a former national player from El Salvador who has worked for ITF for seven years, praised the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association's (BLTA) tenacity in bringing this tournament here.

“It's a big commitment, it's really a lot of work that organisers have to put into one of these events. Countries apply and depending on a lot of things the tournament is given to the country or not.

“I think they have done a great job. They have a lot of people who are very committed to the event; a lot of support from sponsors, Government and the Press. Those are the essentials to have a successful event.

“Being Bermuda's first tournament like this, I think it's great. The hospitality has been great and all the players' needs have been attended to. That's all players want.”

Meanwhile, play continued until late last night at the Tennis Stadium in an effort to compensate for Tuesday's wash-out because of constant rain.

In the 18 and Under division, the four semi-finalists for the Girls' Singles were decided while the Boys' Singles were whittled down to the last eight. The last of host nation Bermuda's hopes went by the wayside in both the boys and girls.

Jovan Whitter had a good start, defeating Quinn Russell of the Bahamas 6-3, 7-5 but, in the evening, went down to American Maciek Sykut 6-1, 6-1. Michael Musson lost 6-1, 6-0 to American Billy Mertz while Lamar Cross failed to wrest a game from Mertz's compatriot Dylan Arnould. John Masters enjoyed a walkover against Japan's Yuichi Uda but then was sent packing by Englishman Andrew Brasseaux 6-3, 6-0.

Three Americans are among the last four girls standing. They are top seed Christy Striplin, Alexis Dorr and Ashley Finnegan. The only person who can spoil a Star-and-Stripes sweep is Sarah Svoboda of France.