BERMUDA'S top junior tennis player Gavin Manders has been wiping the floor with his international opponents this week at the Bank of Bermuda Foundation ITF World Ranking Junior Tournament.

At the time of writing, he has progressed through three rounds of competition without dropping a set, losing a total of only eight games while knocking out the tournament's number one seed Jerome Ward of Trinidad and Tobago in the process.

And despite the fact that there have been mutterings that the calibre of competition is much lower this year, there are some within the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association who believe the 18 year old to be the best junior this Island has ever produced.

At first meeting, Manders certainly is an impressive figure.

Laid back and clearly at ease with himself and his surroundings, there is nonetheless a steely determination which shines through his demeanour both on and off the court ? a quiet, level-headed confidence which never threatens to border on arrogance or conceit.

The youngster will begin a tennis scholarship at the Florida Gulf Coast University later this month, and it is a testament to his sound upbringing and rounded character that he has developed the clear sense that there is life outside the narrow confines of a tennis court.

"My tennis is obviously very important to me but my academic career undoubtedly comes first," he said after annihilating Kirk De Silva 6-1, 6-0 at the WER Joell Tennis stadium this week.

"I have always wanted to have a go at being a professional player but I have to make sure that I've got other qualifications in place in case that ambition falls through. Once that is out of the way and provided my tennis has progressed as well, I'll definitely will devote a couple of years full time to see if I can make it."

Growing up, he first had a tennis raquet in his hand at eight years old, and progressing up the BLTA junior ranks he was always the number one player in his age group.

A talented all-round sportsman and a Denton Hurdle Memorial Award winner, Manders decided to concentrate on tennis in his early teens, despite the fact that his father, Arnold Manders, was one of Bermuda's top cricketers for many years.

But the youngster said that there was never any pressure on him to follow the same route as his father, and had nothing but praise for his parents for their unwavering support of his tennis.

"My parents have been terrific," he said.

"They have always been really supportive and encouraging and always come to support me when I'm playing in tournaments. I have got a lot to thank them for."

At the tender age of 18, Manders is still the youngest of the island's core of elite tennis players which includes Jenson Bascombe, James Collieson, Andy Bray and Ricky Mallory.

Earlier this year, Manders actually defeated Bray and Bascombe on his way to victory in the Island Construction Open at Pomander Gate ? confirming the feeling of many within the BLTA that the young star does indeed have a bright future.

He is however completely sold on the idea that the only way to maintain the momentum he has built up is to continue his tennis education abroad.

"That is the one thing I would say to all young Bermudian players coming up ? once you reach a certain age you cannot go any further in a place like Bermuda and you have to go away for greater exposure," he said.

"I'm really looking forward to starting college in Florida. Florida Gulf State is one of the fastest growing schools in America. Most of their facilities are first-class and brand new and their tennis programme is strong. So it is pretty ideal environment in which to improve and I'm looking forward to when the season starts around November time."

Manders is also under no illusions as to the sacrifices required to become a sporting professional.

"If you want to be the best in any sport you have to be prepared to make sacrifices," he said.

"At the moment for instance, this is my last week at home before going off to Florida and there is nothing I'd like more than to go out with my friends. But if you are not prepared to miss out once in a while then you might as well not bother. I always try to enjoy myself, whether I'm on a tennis court or off of it, but there are times when you have to step back and take things seriously."