THE sixth staging of the JN Jamaica Open Tennis Championships for men and women singles, starting Saturday, was officially launched at a media function at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston yesterday.

Tournament director Llockett McGregor gave an overview of the tournament where title sponsor, Jamaica National, has increased its contribution to $600,000.

He said the men’s singles winner will receive $200,000, up from $150,000, with the runner-up to collect $100,000, while $25,000 will go to the semi-finalists, and $12,500 to each player reaching the round of 16.

The women’s singles winner will walk away with $60,000, up from $50,000 last year, with the runner-up receiving $30,000 and the two losing semi-finalists each pocketing $15,000.

In the men’s doubles, the winners will collect $25,000, while the runners-up will walk away with $15,000.

As for the entries, McGregor said that this year the Open Tennis Championships will not be having an international flavour as the majority of the players are currently taking examinations. However, the best of Jamaica top players will be in action.

New to the championship is a Kiddie’s Tennis Clinic to be held on Saturday, the first day of the competition. The youngsters will be assisted by some of the top Jamaican players like Damion Johnson, who is the defending champion and All-Jamaica men’s singles champion Randy Phillips.

Meanwhile, Gavin Beckford of Jamaica National said his company viewed the JN Open Tennis Championship as a stepping stone for local players looking to go further in the future.

“The championship is an opportunity for us to showcase the talents of Jamaica’s tennis players across a number of different age groups and categories, while fostering a level of camaraderie that is healthy and beneficial to the growth of the sport,” Beckford said.

Other sponsors are Toyota Jamaica Limited, Liguanea Club and Singer Jamaica Limited.