Sinclair to lead NMI Davis Cup Team
The Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Federation has named the NMI Davis Cup Team and it’s not much of a shock that ATP Tour veteran and former Pacific Oceania Davis Cup player Colin Sinclair will lead the Commonwealth’s campaign in Group 5 in Bahrain starting Nov. 18, 2024.
NMITF president Jeff Race said that aside from the 29-year-old, the NMI Davis Cup selection committee also has chosen Robbie Schorr, Colin Ramsey, Tomas Abel, and Moris Villanueva (alternate) to round out the team.
After a 17-year hiatus as a Davis Cup captain, Race returns as the skipper of the NMI Davis Cup team and he’s optimistic about the Commonwealth’s debut in Davis Cup.
“Since we have to begin our Davis Cup journey in Group 5, I think that we will be very competitive and have a good chance to advance to Group 4 if everyone remains healthy.
The CNMI Sports Hall of Famer said there’s no doubt that the CNMI’s biggest asset is Sinclair.
“With his ATP ranking he will be at or close to being one of the top players there. Of course, Robbie Schorr is actively playing for William Woods University and just won several gold medals at the Micronesia Games and Pacific Games. We’ve seen them lead our team to the gold so we know that they’re very tough as a 1-2 punch. Colin Ramsey and Tomas are our top-ranked players based here and have been working hard to prepare themselves as well. Of course, Ramsey has played in both the Solomon Games and won gold with Robbie in the Marshall Islands. Tomas has experience playing in both team and individual situations also. Mainly everyone including myself is very excited to be a part of the NMI’s first ever Davis Cup squad,” he added.
The only possible roadblock for the NMI Davis Cup team’s success in their inaugural stint in Davis Cup is lack of practice time together.
“We will meet in Bahrain a couple of days before the competition begins but we won’t all be together until then,” admitted Race.
Sinclair, meanwhile, said he’s very excited to represent the CNMI in Davis Cup.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time in Bahrain before so looking forward to going back. It will be great to compete with old and new teammates and coach Jeff and hopefully will get promoted. It will be a tough week as there are 15 teams with only two teams going to Group 4. I know the Philippines is coming back after a five-year hiatus so they will be a strong team,” he said.
Sinclair said he’s been sidelined recently due to a back injury, but assured everyone that he’ll be back to the grind soon.
“I’m taking a bit of rest now for a back injury I’ve been dealing with. Will hope to play in Cairns, Australia in two weeks.”
Like his doubles partner, Schorr is also thrilled to again represent the CNMI in competition.
“I feel super honored to be picked for this team and I hope to bring success for the first NMI Davis Cup. It’s a new experience in a new place of the world for me, but I’m ready to give everything I can give to the team!” he said.
His confidence is also sky high at the moment as Schorr has had great success in the college ranks.
“I have been training pretty well. I’m also playing really well at the moment so I have a lot of confidence in my game right now. I just need to stay smart with my body and health, and make sure I don’t over work myself, and lastly take time to stretch and recover off the court.”
For his part, Ramsey said he also feel honored to be representing the CNMI in its first Davis Cup appearance.
“My year started out by coaching our junior Davis Cup team in Sri Lanka and now I get to play for the Davis Cup! It has been a wonderful journey this year. I hope to serve as an inspiration to the kids, all of whom now have many more opportunities open for them to strive for. I’ve been playing as much as I can. I’m feeling the best I’ve felt in a long time.
Abel also is stoked for being part of the NMI Davis Cup.
“I’m absolutely honored and excited to be a part of the first NMI team to play for the Davis Cup. We have a great group of guys on the team and I know we all are going to play our hearts out and bring victories back with us.
As for training in the runup to the Davis Cup, he said he’s been practicing a lot with the usual suspects.
“Lots of practice with Collin, Morris, and others, plus strength training and conditioning as always. Those are key. I don’t know the quality of the other teams so it’s hard to put down an expectation per se, but for me and I’m sure the rest of our team—we go into every match wanting and willing to win it. And that’s how we will go into the Davis Cup as well,” he said.
Colin Sinclair
Colin Ramsey
Robbie Schorr
Tomas Abel
