The Davis Cup always seems to bring the best out of Gavin Manders.

And playing at his best is exactly what Bermuda’s top ranked men’s player intends to do at next week’s Davis Cup Americas Zone group three tournament, which will be held at the Palmas Athletic Club in Puerto Rico.

“This competition always gets me up and ready and I am definitely ready to go,” Manders said.

“Whenever I am representing Bermuda it is not just about me ... you have the country behind you and I promise to leave it all out on the court no matter what happens or what place we come. I can guarantee my heart is left out on the court.”

Also flying Bermuda’s flag on the hard court will be David Thomas, Neal Towlson and Jensen Bascome, who is the most experienced Davis Cup player on the team.

“I think we have one of the strongest teams we have ever had before,” Manders said. “David is playing great tennis and Jensen is playing some of the best tennis he has played in years while Neal is away playing at a high level.

“We are like a family so I am looking forward to going to battle and hoping we can all stick together and do Bermuda proud.”

Thomas and Towlson are the latest additions to Bermuda’s team from the one that competed at last year’s Davis Cup Americas Zone group three tournament in Bolivia, where the Island recorded the most wins ever at this level.

Bermuda’s primary goal in Puerto Rico is to gain promotion to Americas Zone group two, a feat the Island has yet to achieve.

In order to fulfil their mission, Manders says every man must pull their weight.

“It really comes down to the team sticking together as a group and everybody playing their part collectively,” he added. “I think if everyone comes out there with the warring mentality anything is possible.”

Improving Bermuda’s ranking will also be high on the agenda in Puerto Rico.

“We are looking to get our ranking up so that when we do go to these competitions we are not the lowest ranked team and get stuck in the best group,” Manders said.

Accompanying the team, that departs for Palmas Del Mar, Humacao, tomorrow are Ricky Mallory, the non-playing captain and national coach, Steve Bean, the assistant coach, and Lionel Bartley, the manager.

Other countries competing are Bahamas, Costa Rica, Cuba, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama and Trinidad & Tobago.