The Mauritius Open has a slogan : SERIOUS TENNIS, Serious Fun. And with the cream of the ATP Challenger series due to jet into Mauritius tomorrow, the organisers are busy putting the final touch to the playing schedule and the social events surrounding the tournament.

According to Kamil Patel, Director of Africa Tennis Tournaments, there’s more to the Open than fast-paced, dramatic tennis action. With players of 20 nationalities signed up for the event, it is the perfect opportunity to showcase the delights of the island.

The competitors, all of whom will be staying at the Indian Resort and Spa after being flown to the island by Air Mauritius, have a hectic social program lined up – a chance for the organisers to give them a real taste of our country.

Acting Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth is hosting a welcome cocktail on November 27 at the Indian Resort complex, and there will be a gala dinner the following night. Minister of Youth and Sports, Ravi Yerrigadoo, has organised a unique Sports Night on December 1, when the tennis players will have the opportunity to meet some of the island’s brightest young sports stars.

On the following night Kamil Patel hosts a Directors’ Dinner for the players, while on December 4 there is a special Charity Dinner at Labourdonnais Hotel in Port-Louis. And the organisers promise a major surprise for that evening.

Serious fun is promised for the evening of Saturday, December 4, with the players gathering at El Diablo disco in the north of the island. By that time, the two finalists will be known, so there should be a cause for celebration on the dance floor.

The following day, Finals Day, will bring the Mauritius Open to a dramatic close. "We want the players to leave the island with some great memories", says Kamil Patel. "And with the programme we have lined up for them, including sightseeing and shopping trips and much, much more, I am sure they will spread the word about our tournament.”

"There is little doubt that the inaugural event will be a shop window for Mauritius, so I have every confidence that next year’s tournament will be an even bigger success."