January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Manders: I'm ready to lead
Manders: I'm ready to lead
By Colin Thompson
Tennis star Gavin Manders is never one to back away from a challenge.
So when the opportunity to lead his country at July’s Davis Cup Americas Zone Three tournament presented itself, the current Male Athlete of the Year grasped it with both hands.
“That’s pretty much why I have got to where I am. …. I like the pressure,” said Manders, with a grin. “This is my first time that I will actually be leading and I am really looking forward to going down there and representing Bermuda again.”
Manders recently trained with former top ranked ATP player Vince Spadea in Florida where the emphasis was strictly on physical conditioning.
He said: “I did a lot of fitness work trying to get myself back in tune because all of these guys (Davis Cup colleagues) are coming off of seasons, camps and tennis academies. I was doing all my training by myself because I don’t have any eligibility left for college.
“I just needed a tune up and now I am back here training hard...we will take a little time off so we can get our legs under us and get ready for battle.”
Also representing Bermuda in Puerto Rico are rising star Neal Towlson, David Thomas and Niam Azhar, who will also accompany Manders at July’s CAC Games in the same Caribbean island.
“They are all playing good tennis,” added Manders. “All of us are playing a pretty high level of tennis. Even though we have a young team I think this is probably one of the most in tune teams we have had in awhile.”
Echoing Manders’ sentiments was Bermuda coach Steve Bean.
He said: “We have one of the most youthful teams we’ve had over the years. Nevertheless the guys have improved so much over the last year.
“Gavin Manders, our number one player, will lead the team and we have very able replacements from last year. My only regret is that Jensen Bascome had to withdraw for personal reasons. He led the team for years and still proves to be one of our top players on the island.”
Perhaps enhancing the island’s chances of retaining their Davis Cup Americas Zone Three status is Cuba’s recent withdrawal from the competition.
“Realistically I think we have a good chance of surviving in division three, but anything can happen in tennis. We can possibly win this group, and I would like to go down there with that thought in mind.”
Though confident, Manders is wary the task won’t be easy in Puerto Rico.
He said: “It’s a very tough competition. But all of us are well trained and look forward to going down there and doing our best.”
That Bermuda gained promotion to the Davis Cup Americas Zone Three last year owed much to Manders, who currently boasts an unprecedented 6-1 record in the competition.
In addition to hosts Puerto Rico, Bermuda will also come up against the likes of Jamaica, Bahamas and Costa Rica during July’s premier event. n
Tennis star Gavin Manders is never one to back away from a challenge.
So when the opportunity to lead his country at July’s Davis Cup Americas Zone Three tournament presented itself, the current Male Athlete of the Year grasped it with both hands.
“That’s pretty much why I have got to where I am. …. I like the pressure,” said Manders, with a grin. “This is my first time that I will actually be leading and I am really looking forward to going down there and representing Bermuda again.”
Manders recently trained with former top ranked ATP player Vince Spadea in Florida where the emphasis was strictly on physical conditioning.
He said: “I did a lot of fitness work trying to get myself back in tune because all of these guys (Davis Cup colleagues) are coming off of seasons, camps and tennis academies. I was doing all my training by myself because I don’t have any eligibility left for college.
“I just needed a tune up and now I am back here training hard...we will take a little time off so we can get our legs under us and get ready for battle.”
Also representing Bermuda in Puerto Rico are rising star Neal Towlson, David Thomas and Niam Azhar, who will also accompany Manders at July’s CAC Games in the same Caribbean island.
“They are all playing good tennis,” added Manders. “All of us are playing a pretty high level of tennis. Even though we have a young team I think this is probably one of the most in tune teams we have had in awhile.”
Echoing Manders’ sentiments was Bermuda coach Steve Bean.
He said: “We have one of the most youthful teams we’ve had over the years. Nevertheless the guys have improved so much over the last year.
“Gavin Manders, our number one player, will lead the team and we have very able replacements from last year. My only regret is that Jensen Bascome had to withdraw for personal reasons. He led the team for years and still proves to be one of our top players on the island.”
Perhaps enhancing the island’s chances of retaining their Davis Cup Americas Zone Three status is Cuba’s recent withdrawal from the competition.
“Realistically I think we have a good chance of surviving in division three, but anything can happen in tennis. We can possibly win this group, and I would like to go down there with that thought in mind.”
Though confident, Manders is wary the task won’t be easy in Puerto Rico.
He said: “It’s a very tough competition. But all of us are well trained and look forward to going down there and doing our best.”
That Bermuda gained promotion to the Davis Cup Americas Zone Three last year owed much to Manders, who currently boasts an unprecedented 6-1 record in the competition. In addition to hosts Puerto Rico, Bermuda will also come up against the likes of Jamaica, Bahamas and Costa Rica during July’s premier event.
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