From left, CNMI's Davis Cup team Colin Sinclair, Robbie Schorr, Tomas Abel, and Colin Ramsey pose for a group photo in Bahrain. Photo: Supplied
The CNMI tennis team will make its Davis Cup debut in Asia/Oceania Group 4 of the competition on Wednesday at the Bahrain Tennis Federation courts.
A total of 15 teams clustered into four pools will play for two slots up for grabs for promotion to Asia/Oceania Group 3 in next year's Davis Cup.
CNMI national tennis captain Jeff Race, who is a former Pacific Oceania Davis Cup captain, said he likes his team's chances in pool C where they will face Laos, the Maldives, and Bhutan.
"The negative is that if we win our pool then we will play our promotion tie against the Philippines," he said.
"That would be a tough one, but if our players are healthy, I believe that we are capable of beating any team here."
The Philippines is grouped in pool B together with Turkmenistan, Mongolia, and Macau.
Race said the Philippines is one of the most notable teams at the tournament.
"They were in Group 2 and this is Group 4. They are down here I think due to some sanctions and it's the first time they are playing in a few years."
Rounding out the Asia/Oceania Group 4 participants are Guam, Brune, and Nepal in group A and Bahrain, Yemen, Bangladesh, and Tajikistan in group D.
The CNMI's fate lies heavily in the hands - and health - of former Pacific Oceania no. 1 Colin Sinclair, who was previously ranked as high as no. 47 in the ITF singles rankings, in 2019. He's coming in fresh off winning a doubles title with Brandon Walkin at the Brisbane QTC Tennis International, but nursing a back injury.
Also on the CNMI team are college standout Robbie Schorr and top local players Colin Ramsey and Tomas Abel.
Sinclair said they are excited to play their first tie.
"We are the newest team in Davis Cup so we enter the competition at the bottom of the world rankings. So we can only go up from here," he said.
"We've got a great team here and a great shot at getting promoted to Group 4."
Race said they'll make the call today if their no. 1 plays or not.
"He had a short training session [yesterday] and so how he feels in the morning after doing that will be key.
"If he's good to go then Robbie will play first in the no. 2 spot and Sinclair will play second in the no. 1 spot.
"If they both win, then Ramsey and Tomas will play the doubles. If they split the singles then Robbie and Sinclair will try to clinch the tie for us."
Whatever happens, the 22-year-old Schorr is looking forward to challenge.
"I practiced for the first time on the courts [on Monday]. Everything felt good," he said.
"Courts are fairly quick so it's all about adjusting to that. The venue is nice; there are six courts."
Ramsey, for his part, said this is his first ever stint in the Davis Cup and it will be one of those trips he'll remember forever.
"Our team has finally all arrived and we hit the courts the other day. It's so nice to reconnect with Colin (Sinclair) and Robbie," he said.
"Tomas adds a great dynamic to the team as well.
"Colin has been dealing with lower back issues this whole season and won't be at his full potential. The rest of us will have to rise to the occasion and do our best to make the NMI proud."
As for the conditions in the Middle East nation, he said it was "a bit drier than we're used to" but the temperature is about the same.
"In the afternoon, it's perfect tennis weather."
Abel, who flew with Race and Ramsey from Saipan, said they have been able to get really good practice times in daily, and he also liked the venue.
"The weather is also reasonable, similar temp to Saipan but less humid."