HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC – After nearly three decades of waiting, Bermuda’s tennis fans will finally get the chance to cheer on their team on home soil following a blockbuster Davis Cup draw that pits the island against Mexico in World Group II action this September.
The draw, conducted by the International Tennis Federation on Thursday, handed Bermuda home advantage against the ninth-seeded Mexicans.
The showdown is a fitting reward for a team that secured promotion through a heroic 3-2 victory over Georgia. Mexico, meanwhile, arrives in Bermuda following a 3-1 defeat to Greece in the Group I play-offs.
The historic tie is scheduled for September 18 to 20, with the venue yet to be confirmed by the ITF and Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association.
It marks the first time Bermuda has hosted Davis Cup action since April 1997, when the island welcomed America’s groups three and four on the hard courts at Fairmont Southampton, facilities that have since been demolished.
For Bermuda captain Ricky Mallory, the homecoming carries particular significance. He was a player during that 1997 campaign, and now returns as leader of a team poised to write another chapter in Bermuda’s tennis history.
“Being drawn against Mexico in the next round of the World Group II Davis Cup is a challenge we embrace with pride,” Mallory told The Royal Gazette.
“Opportunities like this don’t come often, and to have the chance to compete for our country on home soil makes it even more meaningful. There’s something powerful about knowing our supporters will be behind us. That energy can lift a team to another level.”
BLTA president Michael Wolfe didn’t hide his excitement about the impending return of international tennis to the island, describing it as both an honour and a testament to Bermuda’s tennis development.
“To host a nation of Mexico’s calibre is a great honour and a true testament to the heights our programme has reached,” Wolfe said.
“This is a premier opportunity for Bermuda to display our tennis prowess and for our players to showcase their talent directly in front of their home nation.
“While we recognise the competition only gets tougher, facing a seeded nation with several players ranked in the world’s top 300, this is a challenge we are fully prepared to rise and face.”
Mexico arrives armed with considerable firepower, led by world No. 222 Rodrigo Pacheco Méndez and Alan Magadán, ranked 819th globally.
The numerical disparity with Bermuda’s squad suggests the islanders will once again need to summon the giant-killing spirit that saw them dispatch Georgia.
But Mallory is already crafting the blueprint for another upset, with a meticulous preparation plan mapped out through September.
“From a coaching standpoint, the players have been given a week off to recover and reset physically and mentally,” he explained.
“After that, we return to structured preparation. Our programme between now and September will follow a plan built around focused training blocks and designed to peak at the right time.”
Behind the scenes, the BLTA has already begun the considerable work required to bring Davis Cup tennis back to Bermuda after 28 years. The association identified several key focus areas to meet ITF standards for World Group II competition.
“Hosting an event of this magnitude requires a significant mobilisation of resources,” the association confirmed.
Facility enhancements will be prioritised to ensure courts and spectator amenities meet international broadcasting and play standards.
Logistical coordination will encompass everything from officiating and support staff to security arrangements for the visiting Mexican delegation.
Crucially, the BLTA will be “seeking increased support from the government, corporate sponsors and the community to ensure this event is a commercial and operational success.”
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