Due to strong interest, the entry deadline for the 2015 Bermuda Clay Court Championships has been extended until 5pm tomorrow.

The tournament starts at Coral Beach & Tennis Club on Sunday and runs until next Saturday.

“We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm for the championships,” said Neal Towlson, the Coral Beach head tennis pro. “Many of Bermuda’s top players have signed up and we also have some strong overseas players on board.

“We have now extended the deadline in the hope that anyone who has not yet had the chance to sign up will have some extra time to do so. We hope to have one of the strongest fields of players seen in Bermuda, not only in the Open categories, but also in the age group categories.”

The Bermuda Clay Court Championships is sanctioned by the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association and recognised by the US Tennis Association (USTA), meaning that players registered with either organisation can get ranking points from the tournament.

The championship is also offering prize money with support from sponsors Moet & Chandon. The winners of the men’s and women’s open Singles will each receive $2,000 while the runners-up in the same events will receive $500 each.

Other events include men’s and women’s open doubles, men’s singles over 45s, over 55s, over 65s, over 75s and over 80s. There will also be century mixed doubles and over 50s and 60s women’s singles categories.

All matches will be the best of three sets, using the 12-point tiebreaker at six-all in any set, while consolation singles and doubles events are planned for players who lose their first-round matches.

In the doubles events, professional players cannot be partners, while all players are limited to a maximum of three events.

Social events will be held throughout the week, including a welcoming cocktail party at Coral Beach Club next Monday, dinner and dancing at the Longtail Terrace next Friday, and a prize-giving ceremony and gala dinner the following day.

For more information, contact Neal Towlson at 239-7126 or e-mail tennis@coralbeach.bm