The Pioneers of Bermuda’s Davis Cup Journey
In the early 1990s, Bermuda tennis stood at a crossroads. Locally, the talent was undeniable—names like Ricky Mallory, Michael Way, and Donald Evans dominated the headlines—but the international stage remained a distant dream. Tonight Earl Basden and Dennis Brown takes a nostalgic walk down memory lane with two men who were instrumental in turning that dream into reality: Steve Bean, a cornerstone of Bermuda’s first-ever Davis Cup team, and Keith Fisher, the man who steered the administrative ship as President of the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) during those formative years.
For Fisher, the journey began long before the first serve was struck in international competition. Taking over the BLTA presidency in 1992, Fisher inherited a governing body that was active but lacked the formal international status required to compete in the "World Cup of Tennis."
Under Fisher’s leadership, the BLTA underwent a rigorous two-year application process to join the International Tennis Federation (ITF). It wasn't just about paperwork; it required hosting ITF officials like Doug MacCurdy to inspect local facilities and prove that Bermuda could sustain a high-performance program. In September 1994, the hard work paid off when Bermuda was officially granted full membership.
While Fisher worked in the boardroom, Steve Bean was preparing for battle on the court. In 1995, Bean was selected alongside Michael Way, the late Billy Way, and Donald Evans to represent the island in Bermuda's Davis Cup debut in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Bean, known for his grit and tactical mind, played a pivotal role not just as a player but as a mentor to the younger athletes. His partnership with Ricky Mallory was already legendary in the local winter leagues, and he brought that same "never-say-die" attitude to the national team.
Tune in at 7:30 pm to hear the behind the scene stories.
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