World Class service for tennis players
New courts in Idrottsparken have been a hotly desired request from the tennis association for the 2009 Island Games. It now looks likely to become reality as there is money for an upgrade of the tennis courts in the town’s budget for next year
Naturally, this pleases Magnus Hjulström who is the contact person for tennis. Another important detail for the quality of the competitions is also set, two referees. They are Lars Bergman from Sweden and John Treleven from Jersey. Both have international experience and similar backgrounds. Magnus thinks there will be good cooperation between the two referees, who will also have the main responsibility for the sporting side of things. Two referees are needed as the tennis will take place in two places, Bollhalla and Idrottsparken.
Professional racket stringer 
The world class stringer Berndt Stefansson is coming to Åland 2009. “He has strung rackets for all the world stars, for example at the Stockholm Open and other ATP tournaments. It will be a unique thing which will definitely raise the standard of the competitions. Good racket stringers are something players value”, says Magnus.
Magnus can’t see any big problems with the arrangements. MLK has long experience from the Mariehamn games and that will come in handy in 2009.
”The difference will be the draw, since it is about players with different rankings from different islands, but that is something for the referees to figure out.
Other differences are that the competitions are being arranged with English as the main language and that the signposting will be more extensive. The actual organization is ready. Magnus has mapped out all the key functions, but it is not that easy to get all the “positions” filled.
“People don’t want to tie themselves up this long beforehand,” he says.
The Tennis Co-ordinator is Magnus Hjulström
