Young tennis ace Zachary McGuire has reflected on his great run at the fifth Annual GTP Cup J30 ITF Tournament in Oranjestad, Aruba.

McGuire, a member of the Bermuda Davis Cup team, reached the semi-finals of the tournament, with his amazing run brought to an end on Thursday by Diego Valpereiro, from Brazil, who triumphed 6-4, 3-6, 6-0.

By winning matches in the main draw group stage and recording victory in the quarter-finals, the 18-year-old secured his first ITF junior points.

“It was great to be able to compete in Aruba this past week in a very competitive field of players,” McGuire told The Royal Gazette.

“I am very pleased with the results I had and how I was able to battle and adjust through the windy conditions here in Aruba.

“Having to go through the qualifying rounds definitely put a lot more pressure on me at the beginning, but getting through that match with a good win allowed me to be a lot more free and confident throughout the main draw rounds.

“It’s been a great experience for me and is a big stepping stone in my progress leading up to college tennis this fall.”

McGuire’s success in Aruba came days after another rising tennis star, Lee Terceira, won the 12 and under singles at the Emilio Sanchez Academy USTA Level 6 Tournament in Naples, Florida, against a strong international field.

Ricky Mallory, the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association’s national tennis director, has applauded McGuire and Terceira for their overseas exploits.

“As national tennis director, it is incredibly rewarding to see not only our men’s and women’s national teams achieving success on the international stage, but also the next generation of Bermuda’s tennis players beginning to make their mark,” Mallory said.

“Most recently, our current number one girls 12 and under player, Lee Terceira, captured the title at a USTA Level 6 Junior Tournament in Naples, Florida.

“At the same time, our top boys 18 and under player, Zach McGuire, earned his first ITF Junior ranking points at the J30 tournament in Aruba, where he produced an outstanding run to the semi-finals.

“These accomplishments are significant milestones for Bermuda tennis and are a testament to the commitment, discipline and hard work these young athletes invest in their training each day.

“They also reflect the dedication of our coaches, whose guidance continues to play a vital role in their development.

“Watching these players grow, improve and chase their dreams is what makes our work so rewarding.

“Whether their journey leads to earning university scholarships or following in the footsteps of Bermuda’s top players by pursuing professional careers, they are building a strong foundation for the future of tennis in Bermuda.

“Their success is inspiring and we look forward to seeing what they achieve next.”