Maldonado Claims Title as Bermuda Shines in Florida Tennis
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s Maldonado brothers, Manuel and Raul, delivered a successful outing at the USTA Level 6: Crandon Park Cup in Florida, highlighted by a dominant championship victory in the younger division.
Manuel Maldonado put on a masterclass in the Boy’s 12 & Under Singles division, ultimately claiming the title after a flawless run.
In the final, Manuel defeated the number one seed, Pierre Le Bona from Florida, in straight, commanding sets, winning 6-1, 6-0. His path to the championship was equally dominant; he secured his spot in the final by defeating Bruce Butler, also in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1.
Older brother Raul Maldonado competed in the Boy’s 14 & Under Singles, where he endured a tough three-set thriller in his opening round. He went down to Brazil’s Pedro Lima after leveling the match in the second set (6-2, 2-6, 10-2 in the tie-breaker).
Despite the early main draw exit, Raul showed great competitive spirit to dominate the consolation bracket. He ultimately won the Boy’s 14 & Under Singles Consolation final, defeating Simon Porru from Florida with a decisive score of 8-1. Raul had advanced to the final with a strong 8-5 win over Mario Carlos Bacchin in the Consolation Semi-Final.
The performances mark a successful tournament for both brothers on the Florida circuit.
Thursday, November 20, 2025
Burrows VSU International Student Highlight
IslandStats.com
Tennis player Alexie Burrows has been highlighted by Virginia State University (VSU) as part of their International Student Athlete spotlight, where she spoke about her transition to US college life and the culture of her home island.
Burrows is currently a senior at VSU, pursuing an Elementary Education major while balancing her studies with her role on the Women's Tennis team.
Burrows explained that her decision to attend Virginia State University was driven by the desire for broader educational experiences.
"The reason why I chose VSU is because Bermuda only has one community college, and I wanted to experience Black culture, diversity, and experience college life," she shared.
Burrows took the opportunity to share some fun facts about Bermuda, touching upon its most famous and infamous associations. "Of course, the Bermuda Triangle, I promise it is safe, you can travel there," she said, humorously addressing the famous legend.
She also highlighted several unique cultural aspects and natural beauties of the island: The iconic Bermuda shorts. The island's renowned pink sand beaches. The Gombey Warriors, a nod to the island's sporting identity.
Burrows' story encapsulates the journey of many international student-athletes seeking both academic and athletic growth in the US while proudly representing their home country.
Saltus Grammar School student Zach McGuire has officially signed his commitment to Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, marking a major milestone as he prepares to join the Sacred Heart Men’s Tennis Team this fall.
McGuire’s move into the collegiate sports program at Sacred Heart signals the next step in his athletic and academic journey in the United States.
Director of Athletics, Tim Figureido, praised McGuire's unique athletic talent, emphasizing his rare combination of skill and drive. “Zach is a rare and exceptional talent, capable of excelling in nearly any sport he takes on,” Figureido said. “That versatility and drive will undoubtedly elevate his tennis game even further. We couldn’t be prouder of Zach and have every confidence that he will shine as a student-athlete at Sacred Heart University.”
The school expressed immense pride in McGuire, adding, “We are beyond proud of Zach and cannot wait to see all that he accomplishes at the next level, both on and off the court.”
Thursday, November 06, 2025
Jordan-Whitter's UNE Conclude Impressive Inaugural Season
IslandStats.com
The debut season for the University of New England (UNE) women’s tennis team, guided by Bermudian coach Jovan Jordan-Whitter, has reached its conclusion after a tough loss in the opening round of the 2025 Conference of New England (CNE) Women's Tennis Championship.
The No. 6 seeded Nor'easters went down 4-0 to the No. 3 seeded Gordon College at the Brigham Athletic Complex, a result that brings an end to their highly promising inaugural campaign.
While the CNE Championship exit is a tough finish, the team achieved remarkable success in their first-ever varsity season under Coach Jordan-Whitter's leadership. The Nor'easters conclude the fall season with an impressive Overall 11-6 record, which includes five wins in conference play.
Jordan-Whitter, who was appointed as the head coach in August 2024, steered the newest UNE varsity sport to immediate competitiveness. The team’s focus now shifts to building upon this successful foundation as they look ahead to the next phase of the program's development.
Tuesday, November 04, 2025
Phillips and El Kordy Exit American Fall Championships
IslandStats.com
Daniel Phillips' campaign at the Division One American Fall Individual Tennis Championships has come to an end after he and his doubles partner were defeated in the quarter-finals.
The Tulane University pairing of Phillips and Hady El Kordy faced Vasco Prata and Ivan Dreycopp from UNC Charlotte in the Men's Doubles Quarter-Finals. The competitive run for the Green Wave duo was halted as they went down with a score of 8-4 in the deciding pro-set format.
Phillips, who was previously eliminated from the singles draw on the opening day, was aiming to keep Tulane's hopes alive in the doubles competition. However, the UNC Charlotte pairing proved too consistent and ultimately secured the decisive break in the match to advance to the semi-finals.
The result concludes Phillips' participation in the American Fall Individual Championships, marking the end of a demanding week of high-level collegiate tennis.
