Every spring the tradition of professional women's tennis returns to Amelia Island at the Amelia Island Plantation. Since 1988, Bausch and Lomb has sponsored this stop on the Sanex WTA Tour. A draw of 56 players vie for over $500,000 in total prize money and the title of champion.
     For some players, though, Amelia offers more than prize money. Many players, even past champions, return year after year for the relaxing atmosphere Amelia Island offers.
     One player, Patty Schnyder of Switzerland, has kept Amelia Island on her playing schedule since 1997.
     "My favorite surface is clay and it is a great resort," she says about the Plantation. Like many players, she likes that the amenities and her accommodations are so close to the tournament site. The site's many available practice courts and the lovely weather add to the tournament's appeal.
After practice or a match, Ms. Schnyder enjoys hitting golf balls at the driving range, going to the beach or taking a swim.
     Over the years she's enjoyed exploring the island. She finds the historic district to be "a special, little town with a touch of English style."
     And she likes the local shrimp. "I can't really remember a bad match here," Patty says, so Bausch and Lomb fans can expect to enjoy watching her play here while she's on the tour.

Bausch & Lomb crowd favorite Amanda Coetzer
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     Crowd favorite Amanda Coetzer of the Republic of South Africa has only missed one year at Amelia Island since 1993. In 2001, she reached the final against Amelie Mauresmo. She loves the fans and the atmosphere here and it is definitely one of her favorite tour stops.
     One of Amanda's hobbies is tending bar. What would be Amanda's recipe for a drink called an "Amelia Island?" "A shot of Bacardi (rum), Triple Sec and orange and pineapple juices." She's not sure it would be right but feels like the drink would reflect Amelia.
     Iva Majoli of Croatia and Florida made her sixth appearance at the Bausch & Lomb last year. It is a relaxing atmosphere after the hectic tour stop in Miami. The quiet allows her to focus on her game. Iva has had to come back from some injuries and found Amelia Island a great place to rehabilitate her form, even if she doesn't play as well as she would like in the tournament. She takes advantage of non-tennis opportunities, too.
     "I'm not good at it," Iva says about her golf, but she likes to play. She loves the beach, jet skiing and wind surfing. Iva likes getting out on the water so much she has a boat at home in Europe. She also enjoys dining out around the island.
     Iva has been fond of the Amelia Island and Hilton Head sites since starting on the WTA tour, especially since she likes playing on clay courts. Her best showing at Amelia was a semifinal appearance in 1997. Even if she doesn't advance far in the tournament here, she likes to stay here to practice before heading to the next tour stop.
     "As long as I play, I will always come here," Iva says of Amelia.

When on Amelia, Iva Majoli likes to visit the beach,
play golf and dine out around the island.
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     Players with a preference for clay courts naturally enjoy Amelia, but Alexandra Stevenson likes the site and tournament even though clay isn't her favorite surface. "I'm learning the patience required to win on it," she says.
     She enjoys coming to Amelia Island's tournament because her grandmother likes to come here with her and they can enjoy a little vacation together.
     "I think family is very important," Alexandra says, and she likes to have family members with her when she travels. Amelia Island is the perfect place for that.
     Like Iva Majoli, Mary Pierce has found Amelia Island a good place to recover from injuries. "I really like it here. Playing on Center Court brought back good feelings, good memories," she said in 2002, after many months of recovering from injuries.
     Those good memories are not just from winning both the singles and doubles titles in 1998. She's reached other finals here as well over the years, and continues to come because "the fans here are really great, very supportive. It's a good crowd that's fun to play in front of. They really seem to enjoy tennis here."
     Mary gets to enjoy some of her hobbies around the island such as jet skiing, and though she prefers hiking, she enjoys walking on the lovely grounds. In the past, Mary has tried a new game while staying here - she has taken golf lessons at Amelia Island Plantation.
     Elena Likhovtseva of Russia has played in the Bausch and Lomb Championships since 1997. "I love to come back here. This tournament is [one of the] better ones because there is a week between the Ericsson/NASDAQ 100 and here. You can get ready better."
     Though clay isn't her favorite surface she is liking it more. "It's nice to play some clay [tournaments] before Europe."
     Because she prefers to travel by automobile, Elena likes to come to Amelia where it is easy to get around.
     "The beach here is so nice and very quiet, so you can concentrate." Elena enjoys swimming and taking her run on the beach and winding down with a quiet walk on the grounds in the evening.
     Conchita Martinez of Spain has been a favorite player at the Bausch and Lomb Championships since 1992, and she was the singles champion in 1995.
     Like so many of the players, she enjoys the relaxing atmosphere at Amelia, enjoying a walk or run on the beach. She's played a little golf here, too.
     Conchita enjoys fine dining and takes advantage of the opportunities on the island. She looks forward to returning to the Beech Street Grill and Centre Street Cafe.
     "I love shrimp," Conchita says, so she is sure to order Fernandina Beach's most famous seafood.
     She looks forward to bringing her family here this year. Conchita is the last number one seed to win the singles title, and that was in 1995.
     One player fans will miss this year is Aranxta Sanchez Vicario, who announced her retirement in January. She played the Bausch and Lomb from 1987 to 2002.
     "I always have a great time here - it's nice to be back," Aranxta said on Centre Court in 2001 after accepting the Commit-ment to Community Award, given each year by The Florida Times Union. This award is given annually to one player, and Aranxta received it for her work with the Children's Cancer Foundation and the Sanchez-Vicario Foundation.
     Aranxta loves Amelia so much that in 2001 she traveled 15,000 miles in one week just to be here. The tournament was always on her calendar so she could visit with the friends she made here over the years.

Arantxa Sanchez Vicario will be sorely missed
by area tennis fans.
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     Many fans may remember seeing Aranxta's mother with another traveling companion, a little terrier. Though he stopped making the overseas flight several years ago, Aranxta says that he loved chasing all the squirrels under the oaks at the Plantation.
     Aranxta has many fond memories of Amelia Island, but winning the singles title here in 1993 and 1994 are definite highlights.
     The Bausch and Lomb Championships at Amelia Island will always be a tour favorite for WTA players with its relaxing atmosphere, amenities and great fans. Their love of the tournament gives fans a chance to get to know and follow a player as many return year after year. Sit back, relax and enjoy great tennis!
     The 2003 Bausch & Lomb Champion-ships will be held April 14-20. Defending champion is Venus Williams. For up-to-date information call 1-800-486-8366 or visit www.blchamps.com.