'Giant' Smith wants more for local tennis

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Many-time Davis Cup representative, Jermaine 'Giant' Smith, believes it is essential for the country to retain its talented players if local tennis is to take the next step.

Smith, a player who left the island at age 15, attributes the departure of the country's top players to the lack of opportunity for development in the sport locally after they have passed the junior stage.

"I got to a certain level in tennis and if I was in Jamaica I couldn't go any further, so to get on the world scene I had to be where the tennis was and also money," Smith said. "Most of the better players, as soon as they get to a certain age they are pretty much out of Jamaica, so if players here don't have anyone to look up to it is going to be difficult for them to get that drive and motivation to go out there, train and perform at a high level," he added.

Elitist perception

Smith, who is in the island for the Hi-Pro Ace Supercentre Tennis Open, which is in its final day today, is of the view that further damage is being done to the sport locally by the perception that it is an elitist sport. This, he believes, is fuelled by the lack of access to courts.

"Basically, if you can get the opportunity to play you can excel," Smith expressed. "The truth is some of the best players we have in this country are not kids with money.

"What is needed are more public courts, everything is private; while in the United States there are public courts everywhere," he added.

Smith was, however, not quick to bring down the weight of the blame on the shoulders of the administration.

"It comes down to money, so I can't say the administration has failed or not, because I can't say what is in their books," Smith reasoned. "I know the intention is there, but there is no action, so if they do have the money then, yes, they would be failing, but I don't think they have the money," he added.

The 32-year-old who now resides in Pennsylvania with his wife and three children, is back to play in Jamaica after a four-year break but saw the Hi-Pro Ace Supercentre Tennis Open as a great opportunity to get back involved in tennis locally.

"Any type of incentive to attract players of a high calibre and especially former players is good," Smith said. "So I definitely applaud them (organisers and sponsors) for this push in the right direction and they should do more," he added.

The former Ocho Rios High student's tenure in the tournament was short-lived however, as he was defeated on Wednesday's second day of competition by 23-year-old Dominic Pagon.