The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

After they fell short in 2014, the Bahamas will once again look to avoid relegation and advance to Zone II in Davis Cup play.

The four-member team of Marvin Rolle, Rodney Carey Jr, Kevin Major Jr and Jamaal Adderley are scheduled to compete in the Davis Cup Americas Zone Group III event, July 20-25.

The Draw for Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Americas Zone Group III is slated for this Sunday.

As the top ranked teams, Paraguay, No. 69, will head Pool A and Guatemala, No. 70, will head Pool B.

The Bahamas is ranked number 76 and will square off against 84th ranked Honduras in the first matchup.

Other competing teams include Cuba, Jamaica, Panama, Bermuda and Trinidad and Tobago.

The Bahamas remained in Group III after the team of Rolle, Devin Mullings, Adderley and Major lost 2-1 to host Puerto Rico in the promotion playoffs that would have pushed the Bahamas up to Zone II this year.

In his second consecutive term as player/captain, 31-year-old Rolle said he is confident in the core group of players.

“Our expectations are pretty high. Last year we went with a pretty youthful team as well, it was my first time being the captain last year and we had good experiences from that. Hopefully those lessons carry over this year,” he said.

“It’s a talented team and they are playing pretty well and we expect that to continue. Every year we make it to the finals, hopefully we get back there and capitalise on the opportunity.”

Making the adjustment to the leader of the group as its elder statesman, Rolle said the bulk of his responsibilities will come in off court preparation.

“My aim is to work on the same things we have on the past and to stay mentally strong. Physically I know we have all the tools. The guys are strong, they’re fit and I think mentally is the next level we need to get to. Hopefully we come out with the win,” he said.

“I just have to keep these guys ready. Mentally ready, physically ready and keep them calm. In tennis, you’re out there by yourself and composure is important so as captain it’s a big deal for me to keep them calm and focused throughout the match.”

Last year, the Bahamas defeated Panama and Honduras in group play before consecutive losses to Puerto Rico.

“Most of the guys we are going to face we probably placed at some point on the circuit and normally play,” Rolle said, “Top teams are usually Guatemala and Paraguay. We’re familiar with their games but we know they are always pretty good. We should do well.”

The team has been engaged in two-a-day training sessions throughout the week.

Carey, 22, said while he expects the team to do well and advance, he also expects keen competition.

“I try not to place too many expectations on myself, we know we have a solid team but at the same time there are a few teams that could give us a lot of problems, especially playing on clay which is not a natural surface,” he said. “I feel like we can do very well we just have to stay focused, stay in the moment and not get too ahead of ourselves. We have been having a lot of good training so far and I’m excited to see what we are going to do in Panama. Kevin has been playing really well, I’ve been playing really well, Marvin’s been doing a good job mentoring us so it’s coming together really well.”

He added the importance of the team’s success and the impact it can have on the development of the game locally.

“In tennis we have a lot of really good young players coming up. With the youth coming up I’m one of the older ones along with Marvin. He’s a veteran but I’m on that next level and it’s exciting to see what we have on tap for the future and it puts a little more pressure on me to be like a role model and to lead them in the right direction,” he said.

At 20, Major will once again make the trip as the youngest member of the team.

“I think we’re pretty ready this time, even more so than last year. This week has been more relaxing, just playing and getting ready. The final week we just work on whatever we feel we need to touch up on and by Monday we will be ready to go,” he said. “I’m the youngest guy on the team again and I don’t mind that because I get an opportunity to learn from these guys again. I’ve played a few tough matches in Davis Cup and I’ve learned alot from it, playing against older guys and I just want that to translate to the court. I think we’re in a good place right now and we have a chance of going all the way. Based on how we look, we should make it out of our group.”

At Davis Cup, the Bahamas began playing in 1989 and has a 39-36 win-loss record in the 75 ties over the past 26 years. Retired tennis ace Mark Knowles still holds the record for the most wins (41-32), most doubles (18-7) and the most years played (14). He also teamed up with Roger Smith for the best doubles team with a 9-5 record.

Mullings, however, has the most singles victories with an 18-7 record and Rolle has played in the most ties with a total of 38.

The Bahamas had its best showing in 1993 when the team of Roger Smith, Mark Knowles and John Farrington, captained by John Antonas, reached the World Group playoffs against the United States in Charlotte, North Carolina. The United States, led by Andre Agassi, was no match, pulling off a 5-0 victory. The Bahamas is currently ranked at No.76 in the ITF Davis Cup nations.