The fresh faces in the Bermuda Davis Cup team have revealed their pride in representing the island at the upcoming World Group II play-off matches against Georgia next month.

South African Wayne Montgomery and youngster Zachary McGuire were named in the four-man squad for the trip to Cyprus and will team up with Trey Mallory and Daniel Phillips for matches taking place on February 6 and 7 at Herodotou Tennis Academy in Larnaca.

Montgomery, 30, a former quarter-finalist at Junior Grand Slams, has been residing in Bermuda for five years and is delighted to have been given a chance

“It’s a tremendous honour and I’m very grateful for the opportunity,” Montgomery told The Royal Gazette.

“It’s a great opportunity for Bermuda to showcase their skills against a slightly higher ranked team and I’m just grateful and appreciative to the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association.

“I’m definitely looking to compete hard and see the challenge through. We obviously hope to go out there to Cyprus and get a win, which would be amazing. I’m sure that’s what everyone would like to see.

“Everyone is super excited and working hard at training. Hopefully, we can go out there, showcase our skills come back to Bermuda with a win.

“I’m a singles player but it’s obviously up to coach Ricky Mallory to decide who plays singles and who plays doubles. I can play both, but it's up to him in terms of the line-up and who he wishes to play.”

Montgomery and McGuire have been chosen in preference to Tariq Simons, a member of the team that secured qualification to the World Group II play-offs.

Simons spent the better part of 2025 in India, where he trained as an Isha Hatha Yoga teacher, returned home on Christmas Day and played just one match in Davis Cup trials against McGuire, which he lost.

Far from being angry at losing his place in the side, Simons has thrown his weight behind his replacements and is urging Bermuda to support the new-look squad.

“I’m in full support of the two new members of the Davis Cup team and the BLTA’s decision to host trials and to make that happen in a fair way,” Simons said.

“I made a decision to pursue Hatha Yoga teacher training in South India, which is something that has been dear to me over the past four years.

“It’s something that I want to offer to Bermuda as a small nation, so I went and did it understanding that the consequences were that I wouldn’t be able to prepare for Davis Cup tennis this year.

“I made a choice to do something that means a lot to me but it is great to see the team as strong as it is, especially with the addition of Wayne Montgomery. The timing is good considering we are in the World Group II play-offs.”

Simons has challenged those selected to work together as a team, something he feels is crucial to success.

“I hope they win in Cyprus and they enjoy the experience,” he said.

“I hope they bond as a team as that is super important. They have two new players who have never been close to the Davis Cup team before, they’ve both only trained in Davis Cup preparation sessions on island.

“But I have love for both of those guys as Zach has been my student and is now my team-mate. He's grown strong and he’s come through junior representation and now he’s into the big boys arena in Davis Cup.

“Wayne’s track record speaks for itself. I’ve practised with Wayne plenty of times and he’s a super cool guy. I’ve known him personally for a couple of years since he moved to the island.”

With Bermuda back in action later this year, Simons is planning to work hard and get called up for future Davis Cup assignments.

“I’m not done playing tennis as I love the sport,” the 24-year-old said.

“It’s not that I’m doing yoga now and tennis is no longer a part of my life. I still coach full-time to develop the new generations of tennis talent in Bermuda through Manders Tennis Movement at WER Joell Tennis Stadium.

“Tennis is just not in the cards for the beginning of this year but should the team need me for the future, I intend to regain a level and compete for Bermuda again.”

Simons was beaten by McGuire in his only Davis Cup trial match but was not surprised at being beaten by a younger, fitter player.

“It wasn’t a typical match for me,” Simons said.

“I understood my physical condition, having not played tennis for such a period of time, so it wasn’t a match that I was looking forward to play.

“I understood going into the match that Zach, who’s a player I’ve coached for the better part of the last two years, is strong player and that I was not likely to beat him in that particular moment.

“My main goal was to ensure that he got the match that he deserved to play to get into his first Davis Cup team.

“I just needed to play it so that the next generation of Davis Cup players felt that they had earned a spot on the team.”

The 17-year-old McGuire, who is heading off to Sacred Heart University to play NCAA Division 1 tennis in August, is grateful to have been selected.

“I loved my experience playing for the Junior Davis Cup team and I am now honoured to be a part of the senior team for the first time,” he said.

“It is a privilege to be able to play with and watch these three guys in the highest level of competition. I am incredibly happy that I’ve been selected and I know that this is just the start of my journey. I am determined to train and learn as much as possible from this experience.

“Being selected for this Davis Cup is very exciting, especially with the high level of players on this Bermuda team. I was very proud of how I performed leading up to this selection and appreciate coach Ricky Mallory and the BLTA giving me this opportunity.”

The Saltus Grammar School student is looking forward to experiencing what it feels like to represent the island at the highest level.

“I hope that we can come out on top in the upcoming tie with Georgia as this would be an historic moment and a huge stepping stone for Bermuda tennis,” McGuire said.

“For me personally, I want to take in the atmosphere and learn as much as I can from this experience to build upon for the upcoming years.

“I am determined to use this opportunity to keep working hard and to cement myself as a strong member of the team.”