One of Bermuda's up-and-coming tennis players Jadon Spriggs is in high spirits after winning the 18 and under boys division at the March into Spring L6 United States Tennis Association tournament in Zephyrhills, Florida.

Spriggs registered four victories on his way to claiming his maiden L6 triumph. The 16-year-old defeated Daylian Kansara 6-1, 6-2 in the round of 16, floored No 1 seed Owen Van Bowen 7-5, 6-4 in the quarter-finals, swept past Aarav Shashikiran 6-3, 6-1 in the semi-finals, with a 6-4, 6-3 conquest over Leonardo Catori securing the title for the Bermudian.

“I had a great experience in winning my first USTA tournament and I played very well,” Spriggs told The Royal Gazette.

“I trained at the Mouratoglou Academy Zephyrhills the Friday before the tournament so I could adjust to the conditions.

“My first match was against a 6 Universal Tennis Rating level player, which was a great warm-up for my next match against the tournament’s No 1 seed who was an 8 UTR. It was a good match and I then went on to play two 7 UTR players in the semi-final and the final to secure my victory.

“I enjoyed playing against the No 1 seed the most since I felt he really challenged my abilities. My best advice during that match would be to never give up because I went down 0-3 in the second set.

“I was able to win the tournament without dropping a set so I was pleased with my overall performance.”

His latest conquest follows the 2024 success he enjoyed at the UTR level-based tournament at the Casely Tennis Academy in Miami.

Spriggs is next heading to Guadeloupe for an ITF tournament where he will be eyeing his first singles points. Last year, the Junior Davis Cup player picked up his maiden doubles victory in St Vincent & the Grenadines, when he combined with Jacob Jacelon, of Trinidad & Trinidad, with the two winning 6-3, 7-6, over the St Kitts & Nevis duo of Michael Duggins and Matthew Owen.

“I am hoping to do well in the upcoming ITF tournament in Guadeloupe, with a goal to gain my first ITF points from a singles win,” Spriggs said.