By BRENT STUBBS
Senior Sports Reporter
bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
AFTER sitting out for the past two months and-a-half with an injury, the Bahamas’ top ranked international tennis player Justin Roberts is back and is looking forward to a productive season this year.
Roberts, the 26-year-old pro player, returned to action over the weekend, winning the Wild Card Tournament in Palm Beach, Florida, earning the rights to go directly into the main draw that will get started today.
“I had to play five matches in two days and won them all, so I feel pretty good about my return after not playing for more than two and-a-half months,” Roberts said. “I was very pleased with my performance. It was very solid.”
With the time off to recuperate, Roberts said there was some court rust, but he was able to play himself into a competitive form, which speaks well for what he’s capable of doing as he moves into his first full season since emerging on the pro scene in 2020. “It was a good start for me,” Roberts said. “I had a chance to see where I am at and so I was pleased.”
Roberts, however, admitted that the main draw this week will be a good testing ground for him and he’s eager to see where he is in the whole scheme of things.
“I know there’s a lot to work on, but I am just glad to be back out there,” Roberts said. “I feel like this is the year that I can really do some great things and hopefully end up playing in some of the majors, if not by the end of the year or at least early next year.”
Following this tournament, Roberts will be heading to the Dominican Republic to play in two tournaments.
“This tournament is just for me to see where I am at before I head overseas to play in these tournaments,” Roberts said.
“Right now, I am feeling good and hopefully I can play up to par on the circuit.”
Roberts, however, indicated that although he’s had some success as a doubles player, he will only concentrate on singles as he makes his way back on the circuit.
He said once he can get back into a groove, he will add doubles to his agenda.
At the end of last year, Roberts was ranked at 1,248 in singles.
He last played on December 21 when he was forced to retire in the round of 32 in his match against Barbados’ Darian King in his last appearance in the Dominican Republic.
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