by Rawle Toney
Following a successful 2023 season, the Barbados Tennis Association (BTA) is gearing up to maintain its standing in Group Two of the Davis Cup, says Director of Tennis, Damien Applewhaite.
The season concluded with the prestigious Top-8 tournament, where Gabrielle Leslie secured her fifth consecutive title, and Kaipo Marshall emerged as the leading force in the men’s division.
Recalling the events of 2023, Applewhaite highlighted the packed calendar, which commenced with the Davis Cup.
In a thrilling encounter, Barbados overcame Pacific Oceania 3-2 at the National Tennis Centre in February, securing their coveted Group Two berth.
However, Applewhaite maintained that the journey was far from over, pointing to the upcoming February 2024 clash against Jamaica.
He revealed that securing qualification for Group Two had significantly impacted the BTA’s financial landscape, enabling the association to support vital programmes, especially at the junior level.
Applewhaite said a robust inter-club season at the Tennis Centre, had resulted with the national team participating in competitions in El Salvador and the Dominican Republic, yielding mixed results.
This was followed by the Easter Swing, featuring an international tournament for Under-14 players.
Applewhaite expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response from parents of junior players, acknowledging the increased engagement in local and international activities at the youth level.
“I think they see the improvement in the kids and I think they appreciate the investment the BTA has put into them, the facilities and the coaching programmes that they have here,” Applewhaite noted.
Speaking on the BTA’s plans for the future, Applewhaite, a former Davis Cup player, unveiled plans for new events in 2024, including the ‘Friendship Cup’ and an Under- 18 tournament, designed to provide players with valuable international ranking points.
Addressing the perennial issue of funding, Applewaite acknowledged the continuous need for financial support at the BTA.
However, he said all 2023 events had been completed successfully, and attributed the achievement to the Davis Cup Group Two qualification, bolstered by support from the National Sports Council (NSC), fundraising events, and the unwavering support of parents.
rawletoney@barbadostoday.bb
