Teen Tyler set for Cuba training camp
Bermuda's teen tennis sensation Tyler Smith has been hand-picked for an International Tennis Federation (ITF) regional training camp in Cuba where she will train with the best players in the region.
Smith, who along with Chris Rego and Clementine Keyes played a vital part in the Island's victory in the Caribbean Under-13 Championships in Trinidad, sets off for Central America in a fortnight.
Having dominated both the local and international scene in her age group, Smith's skills caught the eye of Anthony Jeremiah, the development officer for English speaking countries in the region, who believes the starlet has an exciting future in the game.
Bermuda Lawn and Tennis Association (BLTA) president David Lambert is also optimistic about Smith fulfilling her huge potential.
"Tyler is a product of the development programme of the BLTA," he said.
"Her family identified her skills and sent her away to overseas academies as well as playing locally.
"Because of all of this, along with the financial support of the governing body, Government and her family, she's playing some excellent tennis at a young age.
"I spoke to Anthony Jeremiah and I know the ITF are very impressed and excited about her ability and level of commitment.
"This is why she's flying to Cuba to train among the best in our region.
"You only get a Tyler Smith come through every so often. We've had talent like her before and we've other juniors in our programmes that have talent but need to find the commitment level of Tyler."
The 13-year-old, who also won the under-13 girl's singles title at the Championships in Trinidad, is ranked fourth in the under-14 Caribbean category, while she is ranked number one in Central America and Caribbean Tennis Confederation girl's under-12.
She began her ascendancy in the junior Caribbean tennis hierarchy at the Coca Cola ITF Junior International Tournament earlier this month, in St. Lucia, where she completed a memorable double in the 14 and under division, winning both the singles and doubles titles.
Smith also excelled at the recent ITF tournament held at the WER Joell Stadium where she won the 14 and under girls' singles title as well as the doubles.
Her attitude, both on and off the court, has been put under the microscope by the ITF and is a key factor in her selection for next month's camp in Cuba.
"Only one person can go to the camp and the decision comes from Jeremiah," said Lambert. "It's not just your record, it's your commitment and the things you do both on and off the court.
"No one wins every match they play, so the ITF also look at how you handle a loss, do you look to fix the problems in your game, things of that nature.
"You also must be excelling in your school work, that's very important.
"You look at Roger Federer, he speaks five languages and can identify with each culture which is why learning is also important."