The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH they don’t know much about their first round opponents from Cuba, player/captain Marvin Rolle said Team Bahamas won’t take anything for granted when they step on the tennis court today in Panama City, Panama.

The Bahamas has been drawn to play Cuba in the first of their two matches in the American Zone III Davis Cup tie. Playing out of Group A, the Bahamas will follow that match against Guatemala, the other country in the group.

“Every team can win on any given day, so we definitely have to come out with high energy and positivity and give it our best. That’s the best that we could do,” Rolle said.

“We are obviously hoping and want to win, but I think the most important thing is to show the other team that we are here and we are coming with a lot of energy. May the best man win.”

Major Jr, coming off his trip to Europe where he got to play in a series of matches, said he’s excited to be back on the Davis Cup team.

“Playing in Panama where I’ve played before, it feels good because I know the environment a little bit, I have some experience playing here, so that definitely helps,” he insisted.

:”My expectations are pretty normal. I don’t want to put too much too early out there, but I just want to say that one thing I know I will do is that I will compete and compete well until the end. Hopefully that will be enough to get the win.”

Although he feels they will be matched against two pretty good teams in their group, Major said Team Bahamas is pretty strong and will be able to hold their own and hopefully advance out of their group.

Roberts, who will be making his debut at the competition, said it’s an honor to represent the Bahamas in the Davis Cup.

“We play Cuba tomorrow and I expect good energy and effort from our side,” he said. “Ready to get started.”

Newman said he considers this to be the best team he’s been on since playing Davis Cup for the Bahamas in 2016.

“I’m fired up, having Justin on the team wirth us,” he said. “I think we have a good shot to go up to zone II. I don;t like to put too much pressure on each match. We just have to take it one point at a time.

“Tomorrow (toay) it’s Cuba, so whoever we play, we’re going to come out gunning on all the horses. Whoever is playing, anyone can get the job done. I know Jusstin and Kevin are playing singles, so let’s go get it guys.”

His brother, Spencer Newman, is accompanying the team. He’s doing his path to assist wherever possible and is confident that the players will perform very well.

“We’re starting to gel and it was good to see everybody hitting the ball in practice,” he said. “It made me feel confident about our chances here in panama. so we will see what unfolds this week.

“We have newcomer Justin Roberts, who is hitting a mean tennis ball, so we will see how he does with everyone. We got his back and we will see how it goes.”

The other two groups in the tournament are Costa Rica, Honduras, Bermuda and Trinidad & Tobago in Group B and Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Panama and the US Virgin Islands in Group C.

The nations finishing top of their group, as well as the best second-placed nation, will play-off for promotion to the World Group II Play-offs in 2022.

The best second placed nation will be determined the following way (in the order set out below):

• The nation with the greatest number of points.

• The nation with the highest percentage of matches won to total matches played.

• The nation with the highest percentage of sets won to total sets played.

• The nation with the highest percentage of games won to total games played.

For the two nations competing in the groups of four (Groups B & C), the results of the ties against the team that finishes in fourth place in those groups will not be included in the above calculations.