SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – Jamaica’s history-making tennis player Blaise Bicknell says hard work and dedication were the key factors which contributed to him winning the country’s first-ever medal in tennis at the Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Games Championships here on Tuesday.

Bicknell, who is Jamaica’s number one tennis player, defeated Mexico’s Alan Rubio 6-1, 6-7 and 10-8 in the final set tie-breaker to win Jamaica’s first ever medal at a senior championships.

“It felt really good because from the start of this competition I wanted to get a medal and I came out here… against Mexico’s number one player and I beat him so I am very happy about that,” Bicknell told the Jamaica Observer shortly after Tuesday’s victory.

“I had to work very hard throughout this tournament because there were some [good] players in it, but I believe in myself and my game and I also trust my coach [Mel Spence], and so I just went out there and delivered for the team Jamaica,” he said.

“He was playing very tough, but I just went for my shots, and I also took a lot of risks and I am glad I did that because in the end I came out on top,” Bicknell said.

He shared that this bronze medal will also inspire him to go on to do greater things in the future on the international scene.

“This will give me a lot of confidence going forward, and it will also help to improve my ITF world rankings, and so I am very excited for what is to come in the future,” said Bicknell, who is ranked 725th in the world.

However, earlier Bicknell lost his semi-final match against Roberto Cid of the Dominican Republic 6-2, 6-1. Cid was then beaten 6-3, 2-6 and 10-7 in the final set tie-breaker to his fellow countryman Nick Hardt.

Coach Spence said he was elated with Bicknell’s performance because he had to prepare the player well to win the match.

“I am overjoyed for him because he has been working very hard over the last six months and it is finally paying off,” said Spence. “It was a tough match for him because towards the end it was getting tight but he was bold,” he said. Spence pointed out that the bronze medal will definitely instil more confidence in his young charge.

“It is the first time he was playing for the nation with the exception of the Davis Cup, and so this will just propel him to higher heights in his career,” he said.