Damani Cain thinks he’s able to reach US, French Open
HE might not reach the level of his idol Novak Djokovic, but Jamaica’s promising lawn tennis player Damani Cain has his eyes on the US and French Open championships.
The Biblical scriptures suggested that Cain was the first human born to Adam and Eve, and Jamaica’s Damani Cain could also be the first Jamaican to win a major grand slam tennis championship.
Cain dispatched Ruben Pinchas 7-5, 7-6 in a close battle to win the Mayberry Investments Limited Open Under-18 Tennis Championship.
“I felt good winning the Mayberry competition. It meant a lot for my development, because my opponent was playing better than the last time I played him,” said Cain, a second-form student at Wolmer’s Boys’ School.
“I have been playing tennis from the age of seven. Coach Thomas Plummer came to May Pen [and] ran a tennis clinic in 2009, I attended and was selected to continue training,” said the gifted youngster.
Cain, who is currently ranked second in the Under-16 and third in the Under-18, said he wants to reach the US and French Open championships.
Young Cain believes tennis in Jamaica has the potential to go far and would like to see a few things set in place to assist the players.
“Tennis Jamaica needs to organise a mentorship programme with past national players, so we can be familiar with past players and their experiences, which can encourage us as juniors,” said Cain.
Cain was just one of 70 youngsters that participated in the Mayberry Junior Championship at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston recently.
Mayberry Investments Limited has been a part of the junior tennis fraternity since 2011 and the investment house demonstrated its continued support for the sport.
Anika Smith, assistant vice-president of marketing at Mayberry, noted that the main focus is geared towards the development of the sport.
“We recognise the importance of sport to youth development. We are happy to be a part of this tournament that assists so many players [to] better hone their skills, and want to take the opportunity to congratulate all the participants,” Smith said.
Smith believes that the level of participation throughout the tournament gave merit to the growing level of support in Jamaica at the junior level, and will address the overall aim at boosting the level of junior tennis islandwide.
In addition to the trophy prizes, players also received points towards their national ranking.
