Bermuda captain Ricky Mallory is confident that his team can pull off a massive upset against Mexico in the Davis Cup this weekend.

The two countries collide in a World Group II tie at a spruced-up WER Joell Stadium, with play starting at 11am on Saturday and 10am on Sunday, and while Mexico are ranked 49th and Bermuda are 67th in world tennis rankings, Mallory hopes home support can tilt the contest in his team’s favour.

“The players are definitely ready and we’re going to beat Mexico,” Mallory told The Royal Gazette.

“They have to play their very best tennis they’ve ever played. They have to perform, bring the intensity, I hope the crowd pushes them and cheers them on and gives them that extra strength.”

Mexico’s players are all ranked higher than Bermuda’s but after taking down Georgia in February, the Bermuda coach believes that anything is possible.

“Anything can happen on the day,” Mallory said. “We played against Georgia in Cyprus. They also had players in the top 500 and you saw what happened there.

“I don’t want to get too cocky but anything can happen. I’m not going to say we’re going to lose. We want to win, I’m sure they want to win, so may the best man win and I hope it’s Bermuda.”

Mallory, who was a player when Davis Cup action last took place in Bermuda in April 1997, urged locals to come out in their numbers.

“Bermudians must come out to support and watch their boys play some world-class tennis,” he added.

“It’s different when you read about it when they’re overseas but now you get to see them in person playing on the world stage.”

Daniel Phillips, Bermuda’s top player, cannot wait to play in front of a home crowd for the first time in the premier international team event.

“We’re going to come out together and do our best,” the 21-year-old said.

“Not so much worried about the result, but just happy to be playing with the boys and competing. I know everyone on the team is going to give it their all. I know the people around us setting everything up are giving their all, so I’m going to go out there, play my tennis and bring my attitude.

“I’m going to be surrounded by friends and family. I know the fans are going to be getting loud, showing that Bermuda passion and all that. It’s my very first big international tournament here and I’m ready to show our fans what I’ve been working on over the years.”

Trey Mallory is determined to perform in front of a partisan crowd against world-class opposition.

“We’re just really excited, especially to be playing back home,” the 24-year-old said.

“The last time I played here was juniors so just to be playing back home is already special. To be playing a good team like Mexico is even more unique and it’s going to be high-level tennis but this is the level we want to play at.

“We just want to give it all our best on the court for the home crowd and just make Bermuda proud. I don’t know much about Mexico, but I know they’re a good team with good players. I know they’re going to be ready to battle but so are we.”

In his only involvement against Georgia, Mallory partnered with Phillips to deliver the doubles victory in what turned out to be a key result for the team’s success.

“Who plays is up to the coach and how the players are feeling,” the University of North Carolina Wilmington graduate said.

“I think we’re all capable of playing singles and we’re all ready to be playing singles and doubles.”

Wayne Montgomery, who held his nerve to secure the vital point and an historic triumph for Bermuda in February, is hoping that the route to success is less tough this time.

“We’d love to run it back, but I think the boys would enjoy an easier win than last time,” the 31-year-old said.

“Mexico’s always got a strong team so we’re just going in there, do our best, cheer on our team-mates and see what we can do.

“I don’t know any of the Mexican players so we’ve to try to figure out how to get the win in each of our matches.”

Tariq Simons last played Davis Cup against Bolivia last year when Bermuda finished third in Americas group three. A member of the team since 2019, the 25-year-old is ready to play his part if needed.

“I’m excited to be with the boys, to be putting in work with them for the better part of the last three months,” Simons said.

“I would definitely say my strength is in the singles. I’m good at doubles too and I can play any part that I’m called upon, but that’s up to the coach, so right now I’m just prepared for any situation.”

Simons, a dominant force in local tennis over the years, implored Bermudians to come out and back the team over the two days.

“It’s a super inspiring event for anyone that’s already involved in tennis,” he said.

“It’s still the type of event that you should come out for because it has a bit of Bermudian culture in it. We all know the story about Bermuda’s role in introducing tennis to the United States and the scene at the stadium right now is very similar to Cup Match with all the scaffolding.

“There are going to be a lot of people, so I think it’ll be a brilliant opportunity to get people out to just see local talent perform at a high level.”