“Longest trip in the world begins with one step” – Ambassador Holloway

The Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA) officially served off their 2017 season in an unorthodox fashion with an exhibition Mixed-Doubles match rather than the usual competition. The first of its kind curtain-raiser took place at the tennis court at the official residence of the United States Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway on Saturday with top local tennis players Anthony Downes and Rebecca Mitchell teaming up against Gavin Lewis and young female tennis prodigy Afruica Gentle.
After the contest, His Excellency Holloway offered the tennis association, through their young President Jamal Goodluck, some advice and words of encouragement.  “The longest trip in the world begins with one step,” Holloway told Goodluck as the tennis season gets underway.
Holloway urged Goodluck to keep making efforts like he did to spread the game and keep the focus on tennis to take the sport in the right direction. He generally praised Goodluck for the steps taken to date. “The little I’ve seen, Jamal is doing a good job of trying to push the sport. I think he has reached out to the Government in trying to make connection which is a good thing; he’s reaching out to civil society and other governments like he did with us to do something like this… They started out this year on a good note and hopefully the rest of the year will be good for them as well.”

According to Holloway there are no plans for a USA-Guyana formal exchange programme, however, he would not rule out the possibility of having an expert come in to do some clinics since it has happened in the past in other sport disciplines like athletics and basketball. He also encouraged the Government of Guyana to do their best to develop the sport because it is a very healthy sport, both mentally and physically.
The Ambassador said he is happy to host the event and judging from the experience, “It is a high-level but you need more quantity, you need more people playing to draw from a larger pool so there will be more competition.”
The exhibition match was one of experience and tactic as Downes and Mitchell showed their dexterity against the young Gentle and Lewis combination. It was a slow start to the match for Lewis/Gentle, but Downes/Mitchell were settled and expanded their range of play from the strike of first serve. The match was officiated by Dr Steve Surujbally who kept a watchful eye and strong chair presence. The first set went to the team of Downes/Mitchell who won 6-2 over team Gentle/Lewis.
However, a more settled and determined team Gentle/ Lewis stepped onto the court for second set looking to stay alive and press for the come from behind win. They were able to take a 3-1 lead and drew the excited crowd into the match. The lengthy rallies, crisp volleys and sharp angles created buzz. They were able to edge one game further to a 4-3 lead, but were unable to keep the pressure on. Downes/Mitchell fortified their defences and were able to counterattack taking two consecutive games and posting a 5-4 lead.
It came down to Gentle’s serve to keep her team in the match. This hope was dashed with the solid play of Downes/Mitchell. The match ended 6-2, 6-4 in favour of Downes/ Mitchell.
Goodluck said it was an excellent opportunity to mark such an occasion playing at the Ambassador’s residence and it was excitement for the tennis community because of the big spectatorship.
He said it is a highlight for 2017 and it’s a way in which the sport can grow – building support through fans and he is hopeful it serves as an initial step for better things to come.
The four players, the umpire and ambassador were given plaques as tokens for their participation in the event.
Next week the GLTA will have its first challenge as they seek to continue with the expansion of the sport in 2017.