ST. CROIX — A team of four young Virgin Islands tennis players finished second among seven countries at the Davis Cup Americas Group IV tournament in Paraguay last week, capping a strong showing against some of the region’s top emerging talent, according to their coach.
Led by Virgin Islands Tennis Association head captain Kevin Motta, the team opened the four-day tournament with a 3-0 victory over Antigua and Barbuda before falling 2-1 to Aruba. The Virgin Islands rebounded with a 3-0 win over Suriname to advance to the Group IV final, where it lost 2-0 to Trinidad and Tobago.
The Virgin Islands competed in a pool with Aruba, Antigua and Barbuda, and Suriname. Trinidad and Tobago advanced from the other pool, which also included Cuba and Honduras.
Each country fielded a four-player team, with each day of competition consisting of two singles matches and one doubles match.
Motta said the Virgin Islands was just two points away from defeating Trinidad and Tobago and earning promotion to Group III.
“We’re still in Group IV for next year,” Motta said. “I think it’s more significant that these kids got to believe in themselves, and they know that they belong there, and we can move on next year for sure.”
The Virgin Islands roster included Yared Alfred, Graeme Angus, Finlay Miller, and Ozzy Odom. Motta said the territory’s No. 1 player, Jan Neuburger, who lives in Germany, was unable to compete this year. Neuburger has never lost a Davis Cup match while representing the Virgin Islands.
A former Davis Cup player, Motta returned to his native St. Croix after graduating from Delaware State University, where he was the school’s No. 1 tennis player. He has spent the past 25 years coaching tennis on St. Croix.
“I’m really proud of how resilient these young men were out there,” Motta said.
He said the runner-up finish reinforced his belief that the program is heading in the right direction.
“I’m very excited right now for what we’re going to do in the next five years, and on from there,” he said. “These kids are really working hard.”
Two members of the Virgin Islands team have earned full college scholarships, a testament to the program’s continued development. Alfred will continue his tennis career at Howard University in Washington, D.C., while Angus will attend Elon University in North Carolina.
Motta said he is instilling in the young players a vision and belief that they are playing not only for themselves, but for the Virgin Islands. He said the players have embraced that message.
“These kids really are taking to that,” he said. “We are very strong and our youths want to fight; they want to fight for us, and they want to do better.”
Alfred will return to international competition later this month when he represents the Virgin Islands at the Central American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from July 20-25. Motta will accompany him to provide coaching and support.
While pleased with the team’s success, Motta said tennis remains an expensive sport, with families making significant sacrifices to pay for lessons, equipment, and travel.
“We’re trying to give back and give these kids the opportunity to succeed in life because tennis is a life sport, and it leads to so many other opportunities no matter what you want to do in life,” he said. “It helps you with diversity. It helps you with social skills. Helps you with mental skills. Helps you with technical skills, tactical skills.”
Motta said the Virgin Islands Tennis Association is seeking additional donations to help cover travel expenses and purchase equipment for its players, including warm-up apparel for competitions. He also encouraged young people interested in tennis to pursue the sport, regardless of their circumstances.
“We can have all the talent in the world, but nothing pays off other than hard work; hard work beats talent all day,” he said. “If you have a dream, you never give up on that dream, and there are people out here to help.”
Motta said he is always available to teach young people interested in learning the game.
Individuals interested in supporting the Virgin Islands Tennis Association can call 340-690-7470, email vitennisassoc@gmail.com, or contact Motta directly at 340-514-8847.
