 Coach Steve Bean (R) IslandStats.com
The traveling team includes Captain Steve Bean, Tariq Simons, Trey Mallory, Daniel Phillips, James Finnigan, newcomer Jack Keyes, National Tennis Director Ricky Mallory, Physiotherapist, and former Davis Cup player Jenson Bascome. Also accompanying the team will be BLTA President Mike Wolfe, alongside veteran player Gavin Manders and several local supporters.
The team will have a few days to get acclimatized before the competition starts on Monday, June 17th on the red clay at the Club Internacional de Tenis, in Asuncion, Paraguay.
Captain Bean said, “Three of the five members of the Bermuda Davis Cup Team Simons, Finnigan, and Keyes have been training here together for the past few months, on clay, at the Coral Beach and Tennis Club. The other two players Mallory and Phillips continue their training overseas. I am encouraged by the team’s effort and attitude. Each player has been positive and has worked extremely hard on the tennis court; pushing each other to improve and do better. The team spirit is high, and it is a joy working with the players. All-in-all I am incredibly pleased with the team’s preparation. The competition is going to be tough, but we are ready and are looking forward to competing.”
President Wolfe said, “While acknowledging that this may be Bermuda’s toughest campaign ever based on the nations we will compete against, I am looking forward to another strong performance by our team. Having competed in this group last year it will have provided our players with a level of familiarity with competition. This experience along with some recent performances by our players will put us in a position to compete and continue to represent Bermuda to the best of their ability.”
National Tennis Director Mallory said, “In the past, the team usually traveled to a training camp before the Davis Cup competition, but this year it was not logistically possible. Thanks to Captain Bean, we have prepared as best as we can, and I feel the team is ready for another challenge. In Paraguay, everyone will be fully committed to supporting the team. Veteran player Manders, who has retired from international competition, will be on hand to provide additional coaching and moral support. We also have Bascome, another experienced former Davis Cup player, officially traveling as the team’s Physio. Without Bascome last year, and his hands-on work, a few of our players wouldn’t have been able to perform day in and day out, so for that I know the team is very appreciative. Group 3, like last year, will be very tough, with most countries boasting ATP-ranked players. I appreciate the team’s hard work and approach to this competition, and I am sure they will value the support from the rest of the traveling contingent.”
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