NATCHEZ — The top senior tennis players in the state will be headed to Natchez this weekend to participate in the Men’s and Women’s State Combo-Doubles Championship Tournament.

The tournament will be a stepping-stone for doubles players aged 59 and older to advance to the sectional tournament early in 2012.

It has been several years since the tournament took place in Natchez, and local team captain Pat Dickens said she is excited about getting the tournament back.

“I’m delighted to get this tournament reestablished,” she said. “Hopefully we will get this back, and get bigger (tournaments) in the future.”

Dickens said she is unsure of how many local players will be in the field, but she expects players from all over the state to participate in the tournament.

The tournament will use a combo format, which partners players with different United States Tennis Association rankings on doubles teams. Dickens said the lowest combo rating for the tournament would be a 5.5. She said the highest could be 8.5, but she does not expect any of the teams to be rated that high.

Dickens said she believes the tournament will be played at Duncan Park, Beau Pré and the Trinity tennis courts. Tournament play begins Saturday morning and will go through Sunday afternoon.

Dickens said this tournament is not only good for Natchez tennis, but for the local economy as well. She said many times when men are participating in the tournament they will bring their wives who will go shop while their husbands play, and when women are participating their husbands will play golf.

As for her own chances in the tournament, Dickens said she has high expectations.

“It is always a good thing to win and advance, no matter what sport you are playing,” she said.

Tournament play will begin Saturday morning.