Mark Knowles Tennis Bahamas returns from tournaments

The Mark Knowles Tennis Bahamas organization took eight players to play in two tournaments in late July in Florida, United States.

The final weekend, July 24-25 saw them playing in the USTA (United States Tennis Association) Summertime Classic in Tampa Bay, Florida. The weekend before that the juniors were in action at the Lake Padgett July Junior Classic in Land O Lakes, Florida, July 17-18.

Playing were Sharano Hanna, Savano Hanna, Khai Rees, Jack Boals, Dentry Mortimer Jr., Sapphire Ferguson, Kingston Rees and Maddison Bowleg. Also on the trip were coaches Philip Major Jr. and Kevin Major, along with other coaches and parents.

“It was an opportunity in the summertime for the kids to travel and get a good experience,” Philip Major said. “They did well the first weekend that they played. They had a week of training and getting introduced to new and more experiences as a tennis player and as a person. They came back the second weekend and performed well. They dominated, did what they had to do and it was an honor to see those kids step up to the plate when things were not comfortable for them.”

In the boys’ 16-and-under singles, Mortimer, Sharano and Savano Hanna and Khai Rees played strong. Rees made it to the semifinals of the Lake Padgett July Junior Classic, where he fell to Juan Carlos Portilla 6-2 and 6-3. Mortimer made it to the quarterfinals, but lost to Portilla 6-0 and 6-2.

Ferguson had a tough time in that tournament, as she was unable to get past the first round in the girls 14-and-under category.

Kevin Major returned from Panama after representing The Bahamas at the Davis Cup earlier in July. He was happy to be assisting the younger players to play at a high level.

“On this trip I assisted some of the kids with understanding how to play tennis in a different environment. They play very well at home, but when they are taken out of the zone, some things chance and I wanted them to know that they can still perform anywhere they go,” Kevin Major said.

Ferguson returned the following week and made it to the semifinals where she lost in a close 6-4 and 7-5 match to Laila Clark.

Bowleg played in both the girls 16-and-under and 18-and-over categories, but could not get past the first round in the second tournament.

“The competition was great and they also got to see what kids are doing abroad,” Philip Major stated. “It motivated them to want to do work harder because they see that they belong now. I am happy that they were able to witness and experience that feeling, so now they know that they have to work even harder because they saw the level abroad. They all seem to be motivated now even after the weeks of training and seeing other kids train. Being a part of that was important for them. That training between the tournaments helped them with the final tournament on the final weekend.”

Both Majors thanked Mark and Vicky Knowles, Antonia Meade, Kanoo Pays, RDC Partners, Everfresh Water Company, Ultra Games, Atlantis Resorts, Twisted Lime, First Choice Limo, the parents and supporters for making the trip possible.

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