Some of the Island’s top eight male and female tennis players are taking part in a new tournament that began last evening at Elbow Beach and will run until Sunday.

Top men’s players Gavin Manders, Neal Towlson, David Thomas and Alex Cooper and women’s players Tyler Smith, Jacklyn and Tara Lambert and Taylor McHarg are competing in the Crystal Family Cup Invitational Tennis Challenge to honour the Crystal family, who travelled to Bermuda every Christmas so that the late Dan Crystal could play tennis with many of Bermuda’s leading players.

Matches in the invitation-only tournament will be held every evening from 5.30 to 9 and from noon to 4pm on the weekend, with the winners crowned on Sunday.

“Elbow Beach Bermuda is very honoured to be the principal partner and host of the very first Crystal Family Cup Invitational Tennis Challenge in honour of the Crystal family,” Ed Burns, the owner’s representative, said.

“We are pleased to be recognising the Crystal family and look forward to a week of great sportsmanship and watching Bermuda’s elite tennis players compete for the Crystal Cup trophy.”

Lambert is excited about the new tournament, which recognises a family that made many friends in Bermuda.

“During the Crystals’ visits to Bermuda, we often discussed holding a tournament in their name to recognise the regularity of their visits to Bermuda and the many friendships that they made,” Lambert said.

As well as the coveted Crystal Cup trophy, prizes include weekends for two at Elbow Beach Bermuda, gift certificates for the spa, beach cabanas and dinner vouchers at Lido Complex.

The tournament is sponsored by Elbow Beach Resort, the Argus Group, Lido Complex and Dunkley’s.