With Jamaica set to host the Davis Cup for the fourth consecutive year, Tennis Jamaica President John Azar believes it’s a testament to the sport’s continued growth locally.

Jamaica’s five-man team will take on Uruguay in their World Group Two play-offs this Saturday and Sunday at the Liguanea Club in Kingston.

After two decades of inactivity, the island welcomed back the Davis Cup in 2023 with a clash against Estonia. Since then, Jamaica battled Barbados in 2024 and New Zealand in 2025 on home soil.

Azar told the Jamaica Observer that hosting duties shouldn’t be overlooked, and believes it’s beneficial for the development of tennis.

“It has huge significance — it gives local players the opportunity to play in front of their fans on home soil, which is a big thing, it gives patrons the opportunity to watch high quality international tennis here and very important, I think it also allows our younger players to dream a little bit more,” he said. “It’s not just watching tennis on TV, but actually being here, hopefully inspiring them to train a bit harder, commit themselves a little bit more to, God willing, be the stars of tomorrow.”

Tennis Jamaica have had to work through several financial challenges in hosting the Davis Cup over the years. Azar, though, is grateful that it hasn’t been as daunting due to the funding they’ve received from private and public sector.

“International events are actually more costly because you’re running them clearly at international standards so without sponsors, events like this certainly could not take place,” he said. “We’re very grateful to all of our sponsors — all except one, are repeat sponsors and I think that speaks to the strength of the Tennis Jamaica brand. Corporate sponsors always like to associate their brand with brands that they see as being strong, so I think that’s certainly a compliment to us.”

While it is the fourth year in a row, it will be the first time it won’t be played at the Eric Bell National Tennis Centre. However, Azar is confident the preparations in place will ensure a successful staging.

“It’s had its challenges but, thank God, I think the team at Tennis Jamaica has done well,” he said. “The planning has been good, the logistics have been good, and we’re now just in the execution phase. But I’m confident, come Saturday morning, the venue is going to be transformed. It’s going to be fantastic, and it’s going to hopefully be two excellent days of tennis with Jamaica coming out on top.”

Last year, Jamaica went down 2-3 to New Zealand, which meant they failed to qualify for the 2025 World Group Two.

Azar is hoping that the team can change their fortunes this time around.

“I think I’m somebody who’s a bit pessimistic by nature, but we feel good. We’ve seen [Uruguay] play, take nothing for granted. They’re a strong team, no question about it but we can control what we can control, and we feel good about where our guys are,” said Azar.

“We feel good about their fitness, we feel good about their camaraderie, we feel good about their form so, God willing, once we execute well on match days, let’s say we’re cautiously optimistic about having a positive result.”

Top-ranked Blaise Bicknell and veteran Rowland “Randy” Phillips will lead Jamaica’s team, coached by former national star Noel Rutherford. John Chin, Daniel Azar and Nicholas Gore complete the squad with Dominic Pagon serving as the non-playing captain.

Rowland “Randy” Phillips (right) and Blaise Bicknell competes in doubles against New Zealand in their Davis Cup World Group Two Play-offs in 2025. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

John Chin (left) and Nicholas Gore of Jamaica make a play during Davis Cup tennis tournament at Eric Bell Centre (Photo: Joseph Wellington)