Ace your game at the Observer Challenge Tennis Tournament

Whether you’re a tennis pro or new to the game, the Observer Challenge tennis tournament is an opportunity to take part in some friendly competition.

The tournament will kick off with a cocktail party beginning at 4:30 Dec. 8 at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center, 590 Bay Isles Road. The cocktail party will be catered by Harry’s Continental Kitchens and will feature an exhibition game, though who will be playing it is still undetermined. 

The tournament usually brings about 100 players to the courts, mostly Longboat Key residents.

Tournament action officially begins at 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9. Games will go until 4 p.m. the first day and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday. Finals will be held Sunday, Dec. 11.

Players can compete in singles and mixed matches. It will be up to each team to decide who plays what match.

“When you’re on the team, everybody will play doubles, but some people will play mixed and some will play doubles, and that’s what the team has to decide before the match — who will play singles and who will play mixed,” said Kay Thayer, director of the tennis center.

Thayer suggests registering by Dec. 5 by visiting or calling the tennis center, 941-316-TEN-S (8367). If teams need to be filled after that, people can be added.