January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Talbot surprise selection for Davis Cup team
The 20-year-old, who plays college tennis at St. John's University in New York, was born and raised in Ontario but qualifies to play for Bermuda through his family connections, which included the famous 60s entertainers - the Talbot Brothers.
Talbot was tipped off about Bermuda's Davis Cup trials by family here on the island, he flew in to compete in a series of play-offs, impressed the coaches and was immediately put on the team.
He'll line up alongside Jenson Bascome, who became the first Bermudian to beat perennial island number one - Englishman Andy Bray - at Pomander Gate on Sunday, rising star David Thomas and Gavin Manders.
The team will undergo a month of intensive training and practice matches before travelling to Central America for the Davis Cup Division Four tournament, against the hosts, U.S .Virgin Islands and Costa Rica, between June 14 and 19.
Talbot said he was realizing a dream by competing in the competition.
"I've never been to the Davis Cup before so it's going to be a great experience - to compete against professionals who are on the tour.
"I've got a lot of publicity around the community where I grew up. It's a pretty big thing, here. Everyone is delighted for me to be able to play Davis Cup for Bermuda."
Talbot will travel to Bermuda on July 6 for the final weeks of training camp before the tournament.
The youngster said he got his love of tennis from his dad Bryan, who represented Bermuda at the PanAm games. Talbot has been coming to Bermuda during the summer since he was 12 and has competed in the ITF junior tournament here.
His uncle Clement Talbot organizes the annual Ross 'Blackie' Talbot golf tournament in aid of local charities.
"I've got strong Bermuda connections and it was always a goal of mine to play for Bermuda," he added.
Bermuda Davis Cup coach Steve Bean said Talbot had impressed at the trials beating everybody except Jenson Bascome.
He said the team had been picked on the basis of past tournaments, the coaches knowledge of the players and the trials.
He said players like Jacob Trott, who missed the trials through injury and youngster Nayim Azar, who was off the island, had been unlucky to miss out.
James Collieson, the island's senior player, was not available for selection.
"I think we have a pretty strong team. Gavin Manders and Jenson Bascome will be our senior players.
"In the past we have been very competitive against these teams. It's conceivable that we could win the tournament."
Bermuda is currently in the bottom division of Davis Cup but could be promoted to Division 3 if they win the round-robin in Honduras.
"The last time we played in Honduras we got promoted, so maybe it's a good omen."
Bermuda will play two singles and a doubles match against each nation. They can use anywhere between two and four players in each game.[[In-content Ad]]
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