SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — Having held their first training session on Thursday since arriving here on Wednesday night, Jamaica tennis players Blaise Bicknell and John Chin said they are feeling relaxed and confident ahead of their participation in Saturday’s start of tennis competition at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games.

Bicknell and Chin were put through their paces by head coach Mel Spence during an hour-long training session at the multi-purpose stadium here.

The 21-year-old Bicknell, who is the country’s number one tennis player, has been in excellent form entering the championships after reaching the final of United States Tennis Association (USTA) Socal Pro series final in San Diego on June 17.

Bicknell and Chin also recently made the final of a USTA professional doubles tournament in the United States last weekend.

Bicknell said the tournament is going to be a tough championship because there are good players here, but says he has prepared himself mentally and physically.

“It was a long travel day yesterday (Wednesday) and we are both coming off a long week of tour where we have been very successful, and so today training was kind of easing into and it felt good,” said Bicknell.

“Our fitness is definitely there and so we are really looking forward to putting on a good showing at this tournament for Jamaica,” he added.

Bicknell said: “I am in the form of my life, and I am strong and fit also and so I am just looking forward to competing for Jamaica. There are a lot of good players here, but I definitely think that I have a good chance of doing well here.”

Chin, who is Jamaica’s number three ranked player, is also looking forward to putting on a showing at the tournament.

“I am feeling [good] ahead of this tournament because I am just coming off some good results in the doubles with Blaise, and so this training session was definitely good for me,” said Chin.

“I still have a few things to work on before the start of the tournament, but I am ready for the championships. It is going to be a tough tournament because there are a lot of good players here, but I think it is doable,” Chin stated.

Meanwhile, coach Spence said both Bicknell and Chin have been in excellent form entering the competition and so they are both feeling confident going into the tournament.

“I am feeling good ahead of the start of the competition because the guys look good in training even though we had a long day of travel, but these guys came out and they seemed very fresh and relaxed,” said Spence.

“You have guys who are ranked in the top 200 and 300, and so it is a lot stiffer competition than we have had in the past, but these guys are up to the task,” he ended.

— Robert Bailey