The Tribune

THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) has named three teams for international tennis competition this month.

A group of talented Bahamians will be representing the country at a very competitive level.

The teams include the following:

Two under-12 tennis team competitions are set to take place in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The nations in the Caribbean and the Central American region are slated to compete for their respective nations.

Team Bahamas’ U-12 girls’ team consists of Marina Bostwick, Caitlyn Pratt, Srae’ Rodgers and coach Sharon Greene.

The boys’ team consists of Patrick Mactaggart, Kingston Rees, Nicholas Russell and coach Artie Johnson. The teams are expected to travel June 24 with matches getting underway on Saturday, June 25.

The players are all representing the Bahamas for the first time on a national team. This is a wonderful opportunity for each of them to display their talent on a global level and to compete amongst the best of the best in the region. The young players will give it their best as each one has invested time and effort into tennis.

All the players will participate in the upcoming Junior Nationals starting (today) this Thursday at the National Tennis Centre (NTC). Afterwards the team will travel next week to Santo Domingo to begin competition.

Bahamas Davis Cup Team

National champion Spencer Newman and player/ captain Marvin Rolle were the first two to receive BLTA team nominations for the 2022 Bahamas Davis Cup Team.

At the trials held in May there were two other nominations - Kevin Major Jr and Baker Newman.

The Davis Cup Group III Americas Competition will be held in Escazu, Costa Rica June 22-25 at the Costa Rica Country Club and the surface is hard courts.

The Bahamas team departs on Sunday and will arrive a few days in advance of the competition.

Countries competing are The Bahamas, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

Three teams will be promoted to the World Group II Playoffs and two teams will be relegated to Americas Group IV.

The teams will be divided into two pools, the winner of both pools will be automatically promoted and the teams with the second best results from pool play will face each other for the third spot.

A number of teams from Group II that were relegated will be competing, including Venezuela, Paraguay and Jamaica.

The 2022 BJK Cup Group II Americas will take place at the Centro Nacional De Tenis Parque Del Este In Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Meet the Players

• Marvin Rolle - Player/Captain

Marvin Rolle is a decorated Davis Cupper. For 18 years Marvin received nominations (25) to Bahamas Davis Cup.

His willingness to serve and represent the country is unmatched. His best run with the team is Group I Semifinals. Marvin has been a part of the Bahamas Davis Cup for 14 straight years. He has won 40 Davis Cup singles matches, 26 in doubles which is the most for any Bahamian player.

Marvin’s career high ranking in doubles is 681 and 1,304 in singles. He epitomizes tennis strength, skill and class.

• Kevin Major Jr is receiving his 6th team nomination for the Bahamas Davis Cup. Kevin has a 7/8 win loss ratio and an ATP ranking of 1,916.

Spencer Newman is The Bahamas current Giorgio Baldacci Open National Champion.

This is Spencer’s fourth team nomination. He has a 7/5 win ratio. Spencer was quoted as saying: “Playing Davis Cup is among the highest honour any tennis player can receive.”

Baker Newman is expected to round out the team and is receiving his fifth team nomination for Team Bahamas. In Davis Cup action Baker has a 11/6 win ratio and was a tennis collegiate standout for Vanderbilt.

The BLTA along with the entire Bahamas extends its best wishes to the team as it represents the country and we pray for a safe journey and strong performances.