Bermuda Tennis Reaches New Heights in Global Rankings
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s national tennis team has climbed to an all-time high in the Davis Cup world rankings following a historic weekend in Cyprus.
Bermuda’s stunning 3–2 victory over Georgia at the Herodotou Tennis Academy has propelled them up 14 places in the global standings. Having started the tournament in 81st place, Bermuda is now officially ranked 67th in the world, amassing 215.5 points from 14 matches.
The 3–2 win over Georgia was secured in dramatic fashion, with veteran Wayne Montgomery coming from a set down in the final singles rubber to clinch the tie. This result has directly impacted the standings, as Georgia has tumbled 13 places to 71st, falling four spots behind the Bermudians.
Bermuda now finds itself ahead of established tennis nations such as Uzbekistan (68th), Ireland (69th), and regional rivals Barbados (70th).
Michael Wolfe, President of the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA), hailed the achievement as a defining moment for the sport on the island. Speaking on the team's tenacity, Wolfe noted that the new ranking is a testament to the "grit and unity" of the players.
"Moving from a world ranking of 81st to an all-time high of 67th is an achievement that speaks directly to the shared tenacity, grit, and unity of these players," Wolfe said. "They have punched so far above their weight and surpassed every expectation. It just goes to prove that having belief in one another will allow you to stand toe-to-toe with the best."
Wolfe added that this is a "proud moment" for both the BLTA and the wider Bermudian community.
The victory in Cyprus means Bermuda retains its hard-earned status in World Group II. For young stars like Daniel Phillips, who earned a vital doubles win alongside Trey Mallory, the focus now shifts toward the Group I play-offs later this year as the team aims to continue its unprecedented climb.
Sunday, February 08, 2026
Bermuda Tennis Team Ascends to World Group II
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Celebrations went well into the night as Bermuda's Men's National tennis team etched its name into the history books following a monumental 3-2 victory over Georgia in the Davis Cup World Group II play-offs. Competing at the Herodotou Tennis Academy in Cyprus, the team secured a promotion that marks the first time a Bermudian men's side has reached this elite level on the global stage.
Owen Darrell, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, expressed immense pride in the team's achievement, highlighting the significance of the win as a "World Cup" moment for the island.
"This is huge news... this is like the World Cup of tennis," Minister Darrell noted. "The fact that Bermuda has secured a victory on this level of competition is exciting news... I am very proud of the result that these Bermudians have received against Georgia."
Opposition leader and Shadow Minister of Sport Ben Smith said, “On the Davis Cup victory this is another amazing accomplishment by Bermuda athletes. Although this step up will be a harder challenge that is exactly what sports should be. We are producing world class Tennis players and this victory will be a catalyst to our junior Tennis players for what is possible. Congratulations to the Bermuda team and full support to them as they step up to the next challenge. I hope this will lead to even more funding and support for the sport of Tennis.”
Michael Wolfe, President of the BLTA, shared the sense of overwhelming joy. "What we have witnessed in Cyprus is nothing short of legendary," Wolfe said. "By defeating a formidable Georgia tennis team, our men's team have not just won a match, they have made history... officially putting Bermuda on the international tennis map in a major way."
The victory was a true team effort, characterized by resilience and clinical performances across both singles and doubles play.
Wayne Montgomery: In his debut for Bermuda, Montgomery delivered the decisive blow, defeating Zura Tkemaladze in a grueling three-set match (2-6, 7-6, 6-2). "My legs are toast... I gave it everything," Montgomery reflected. Despite cramping in the final set, he held his nerve to secure the win for the island.
Daniel Phillips: Phillips provided a dream start for the team by rallying from a set down to win his opening singles match. He emphasized the importance of the team's bond: "The harmony we're having between everyone and the effort the whole team's putting in is really paying off."
Trey Mallory: Partnering with Phillips, Mallory helped secure a critical 2-1 lead with a victory in the doubles. "The doubles was the first—it was one match at a time," Mallory said. "Everyone played well today... everyone left it all out on the court and that's what Bermuda does."
Zachary McGuire: As the youngest member of the squad, McGuire described the historic moment as an "unforgettable" debut experience. "I don't think it could have been any better than this, honestly, the way it came down... it was a great experience."
The promotion is a culmination of a multi-year strategic plan by the BLTA to elevate Bermudian tennis. While the team celebrates this milestone, they are already looking toward the challenges of competing against the world's top-ranked nations.
"Tonight we will celebrate this milestone," said Wolfe. "We recognize that the road ahead, however, in World Group II will be even a bigger challenge. We will certainly need the collective support once again as we move forward to face the world's best teams."
Saturday, February 07, 2026
Bermuda Stun Georgia in Davis Cup Epic Final
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Bermuda have pulled off one of the greatest upsets in their tennis history, defeating Georgia 3-2 in a pulsating Davis Cup World Group II play-off in Cyprus. In a tie that spanned two days of high drama, the 81st-ranked Bermuda team proved they were no pushovers by taking down a nation ranked 30 places above them in the world standings.
The foundation of this historic victory was built on the incredible endurance of Daniel Phillips. After his three-hour heroics on the opening day, Phillips returned to the court on Saturday morning alongside Trey Mallory for a pivotal doubles rubber.
Ranked 1,531st and 1,827th respectively, the Bermudian duo faced a formidable Georgian pair in Saba Purtseladze and Aleksandre Bakshi. Despite the Georgians firing six aces, the Bermudian pair’s consistency told the story, completing 73% of their first serves to secure a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 victory in just under two hours.
The win gave Bermuda a 2-1 lead, though Phillips finally appeared to hit a wall in the subsequent reverse singles. Facing the world-ranked 292nd Purtseladze for the second time in the day, a weary Phillips fought valiantly for over 90 minutes but fell in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, setting the stage for a winner-takes-all decider.
With the tie locked at 2-2, the pressure fell squarely on the shoulders of veteran Wayne Montgomery. Facing a fresh Zura Tkemaladze, Montgomery initially struggled as the Georgian swept through the first set 6-2 in just 37 minutes.
What followed was a display of grit that can only be described as "rolling back the years". Montgomery refused to buckle in the second set, gritting his way to a tie-breaker which he claimed 7-4 to force a decider.
With momentum firmly on his side, Montgomery raced into a 5-1 lead in the final set. While Tkemaladze attempted a late stand, the Bermudian veteran remained composed to close out the set 6-3, in two hours and twenty-five minutes sparking wild celebrations at the Herodotou Tennis Academy.
Bermuda now attains its place in World Group II, marking a new pinnacle for the sport on the island.
Friday, February 06, 2026
Phillips Heroics Put Bermuda on Level Terms with Georgia
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A marathon victory for Daniel Phillips and a clinical response from Georgia’s Saba Purtseladze have left Bermuda’s historic Davis Cup World Group II play-off on a knife-edge. Following a three-and-a-half-hour rain delay at the Herodotou Tennis Academy in Cyprus, the opening day concluded with the scores locked at 1–1.
The tie ignited with a match for the ages between Bermuda’s leading light, Daniel Phillips (ranked 1,531st), and the world-ranked 531st Aleksandre Bakshi. In a grueling three-hour and one-minute odyssey, Phillips displayed extraordinary resilience to secure a 4–6, 6–3, 7–6(5) victory.
After dropping the first set, Phillips looked to be in trouble when he trailed 2–0 in the second. However, the young Bermudian fought back to level at 3–3 before a marathon seventh game—which lasted some 15 minutes and saw the advantage flip multiple times—finally went the way of the islander. That momentum carry helped him secure the set and force a decider.
The drama peaked in the third-set tie-break. Despite leading 4–1 earlier in the set, Phillips found himself trailing 5–2 in the breaker. Refusing to buckle, he reeled off five consecutive points to seal the win and put Bermuda 1–0 up in the tie.
The lead was short-lived, however, as Georgia’s top-ranked player, Saba Purtseladze, showcased the quality that has earned him a world ranking of 292nd. Facing Bermudian veteran Wayne Montgomery—a former world-ranked junior making his debut in this historic play-off—Purtseladze took control from the outset.
Montgomery, who earned his spot through high-stakes local trials, was unable to disrupt the Georgian’s rhythm. Purtseladze secured a 6–2, 6–4 victory in just over an hour to level the tie and ensure a tense second day of competition.
Team captain Ricky Mallory said, “Today marked a strong start to the Georgia vs. Bermuda tie. The singles were split, with Daniel grinding out an impressive three set victory, while Wayne gave a tremendous effort but ultimately fell to a very tough opponent.
Daniel deserves special recognition for pulling off a major upset against Georgia’s number two player. He competed with intensity, stayed composed under pressure, and executed our game plan exceptionally well. We made several strategic adjustments throughout the match, and Daniel applied them flawlessly.
Heading into tomorrow’s matches, Bermuda has made it clear that we are not to be taken lightly and this tie is far from over.”
The battle for a place in World Group II resumes tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. local time, with the doubles rubber taking center stage. The established pairing of Daniel Phillips and Trey Mallory will look to regain the lead for Bermuda before the reverse singles get underway.
With everything to play for, Bermuda remains in a prime position to create more history in Larnaca.
Thursday, February 05, 2026
Bermuda Ready for Georgia Clash in Davis Cup Showdown
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The stage is set for a landmark moment in Bermudian tennis as the national team prepares for a high-stakes Davis Cup World Group II play-off against Georgia. Following the official draw in Larnaca, Cyprus, the squad faces a significant challenge at the Herodotou Tennis Academy with a place in World Group II on the line.
While the atmosphere in Cyprus is focused, organizers have warned that rain is a possibility for the opening day of play. In the event of weather disruptions, a reserve day has been scheduled for Sunday to ensure the best-of-five tie is completed.
Bermuda's leading player, Daniel Phillips, joined his teammates in Cyprus earlier today after a grueling two-day journey. Despite the travel fatigue, Phillips managed a training session with the squad before taking time to rest ahead of his opening singles match.
Captain Ricky Mallory has been vocal about the importance of the tie, describing the retention of their World Group II status as a non-negotiable goal. Mallory noted that he demands a high standard and expects his players to compete with heart and discipline, stating that anything is possible if the team fights for every point.
The team has been bolstered by the arrival of Wayne Montgomery, a veteran addition whose elite experience as a former world-ranked junior and professional has added a fresh dynamic to the group. Montgomery described training this week as productive and noted that the squad is healthy, focused, and motivated to seize the historic opportunity.
Trey Mallory echoed these sentiments, highlighting the preparation that has brought the unit closer together. He also pointed to the inclusion of top local junior Zach McGuire as a source of fresh energy. McGuire, who has already participated in a practice match against a Georgian opponent, noted that the preparation has been ideal and that the team is in a strong position heading into the weekend.
The battle begins with Daniel Phillips, ranked 1,531st, taking on the world-ranked 531st Aleksandre Bakshi in the first singles match. Following Phillips, Wayne Montgomery will make his debut in the second singles rubber against Saba Purtseladze, who holds a formidable ranking of 292nd.
The doubles rubber, often the turning point in Davis Cup ties, will see the duo of Trey Mallory and Daniel Phillips team up once again. They are scheduled to face off against Aleksandre Metreveli as they look to secure a vital point for their country.
This weekend marks the first time in the history of the sport that a Bermudian men's team has competed at this level. While the rankings favor the Georgian side, the Bermudian camp remains undeterred and ready to meet the challenge head-on.
