Bermuda's number one men's tennis player, Gavin Manders, leaves the Island today to attend Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

And although Manders has used up his college exemption and will not play for the school, the Physical Education student will be hitting with fellow Bermudian David Thomas who is on the Ball State team.

Manders led Bermuda's team last year in the Davis Cup when he went 6-1 – the only Bermudian ever to win all his singles matches – and in doing so Bermuda were promoted to Division III.

"That has been the highlight of my tennis career – without a doubt," said Manders this week of last year's successful Davis Cup campaign.

Manders was also one of a number of Bermuda players from all age groups who participated in a national training programme over the Christmas holidays and as a senior member of the national team he believes the Island has some promising rising stars.

"We had some try-outs and training over Christmas and after watching the younger kids it seems to me that they are on the right track.

"They hit the ball really nice and now it is all about bringing along their mental side.

"Everything else is very good – they hit the ball better than any of us (older players) did at that age.

"But it is important for them to get out of Bermuda to improve. It is a whole another level out there. Playing here and playing out there is another world. If you can get some confidence and some experience under your belt out there it will help you mentally."

Last year the young trio of Tyler Smith, Christopher Rego and Clementine Keyes won the Under-13 Caribbean Championships for the first time.

This year Manders, 23, is looking to again successfully compete in the Davis Cup which Bermuda could host.

"Last year was tremendous. It was my highlight of my career so far. I am the only one who has ever done it (won all his singles matches). It is the biggest thing I have ever done – gone undefeated in singles and I lost only one doubles match by only a point."

But Manders knows that this year will present a tougher challenge in the Davis Cup.

"We have been in Division III twice before – 2000 and 1997 – and we have never won a match in Division III. The main thing is to try and stay in that group – that is the big thing but you have to take it one step at a time."

And while he wants Bermuda to stay in Group III, he personally also wants to consolidate his position at number one in Bermuda.

"It has taken a while (to get to the number one ranking) and I have been looking forward to it. Now it is about keeping there – the hardest part is not getting there but staying there," he said.

Manders expects to be at Ball State for two years.

"Although I do not have any eligibility left I hope to help David as much as I can as well as the team."

The fact that fellow national team player Thomas plays at Ball State was important to Manders making his decision to attend the school.

"We are good friends off and on the court," he said.

"I will be training with David a lot – that is why I am going there. I will have that network of tennis to use and train as much as I can."

Manders first left Bermuda when he was 15-years-old and attended the Palmer Tennis Academy in Florida and from there he went to the Van Der Meer Tennis Academy in South Carolina.

He later took a break from tennis. "I didn't play for about a year and a half but since then I have been going strong," he said.

Although he prefers clay courts, Manders will be hitting on indoor courts when he gets to Ball State this week.

"We will play a lot indoors for the first few months (because of the cold). It is different – the courts, which they call carpet, are faster. I have not played that much indoors so I am looking forward to it."