Phillips seeks sharpness ahead of Davis Cup tennis tie
National tennis standout Rowland ‘’Randy’’ Phillips acknowledges there is a lot of work to be done to improve ahead of Jamaica’s Davis Cup Group Two play-off tie against New Zealand in February.
The event is to take place at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre from February 1-2.
Phillips made this assessment after defeating Nicholas Gore 6-2, 6-2 in the final of the All Jamaica Tennis Championship held at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre in Kingston from December 14-21.
The 30-year-old Phillips is to return to Jamaica’s Davis Cup team next year after missing this year’s Group Two tie in Paraguay due to “personal reasons”.
Phillips was pleased overall with his performance at the championship.
“I felt really good playing in this tournament because I think I played pretty well. I have been trying to get back into shape, as I have been training a lot, so it is nice to play well,” he said.
“It does give me some confidence, but I still have a lot of training to do before February. It was a difficult tournament because I had to play against Nicholas and I had to play sharp. He definitely had some chances, but he didn’t take them. I took mine and overall, I think I executed pretty well, so things went my way.
“It’s definitely a measuring stick to see where I am at, but I definitely need a lot more fitness to ensure that I am ready for tough back-to-back matches. I am really focusing on strength and fitness for the next month or so,” Phillips stated.
He emphasised that Jamaica has a solid all-around team heading into the Davis Cup and with everyone fit and healthy, they stand a great chance of defeating New Zealand on home soil.
“I think our team is always strong and I think I will be a good addition because I wasn’t with them in the summer. But I think I will be able to help them out.
“John Chin is in college and you know he’s training and he is going to come in ready.
“Blaise [Bicknell] is going to come back strong and once he is fit and healthy, he is one of the best players. So, we will have everybody fit and healthy, which makes us a really dangerous team,” Phillips added.
Meanwhile, Pauline Hylton won the women’s title at the All Jamaica Championships, defeating Shae-Ann Kameka. Hylton won the first set 7-6 and was leading 3-0 in the second set when Kameka retired.
