A capacity crowd is expected at WER Joell Tennis Stadium for Bermuda’s Davis Cup World Group II tie against Mexico this weekend, with more than 500 fans set to pack the venue each day.

According to Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association president Michael Wolfe, general admission has sold out, leaving only limited seating in the VIP section. With some stands closed, the stadium’s capacity has been limited to 600.

“We’ve sold out the general admission on Saturday and Sunday, so we’re expecting a full house,” Wolfe told The Royal Gazette.

“We have a VIP section that is also full. I think there may be one or two seats still available, but at the end of the day we know that those areas or those fans who are coming are going to really help carry Bermuda over the edge.

“I’ve spoken to a few people who are coming and they’re looking forward to the event. They’re looking forward to coming and really making their presence felt and giving Bermuda that home-court advantage.”

Wolfe hailed the strides made by Bermuda in the premier men’s international team event since their first appearance in 1995.

“The BLTA is absolutely thrilled to be hosting the Davis Cup World Group II tie this coming weekend,” he said.

“It’s definitely been a journey for the BLTA, some 30 years in the making and it’s amazing how we have progressed.

“We’ve seen the different generations involved throughout the time. As many would know, our captain Ricky Mallory Jr was a member of that first Davis Cup team that played here in Bermuda back in 1997.

“In this year’s event his son, Trey Mallory, is a member of the team, so it’s just amazing how the generations have been involved in Bermuda tennis.

“All of our players on this year’s team were not even born when this event last took place and it’s testament to how tennis has developed throughout the years in Bermuda.

“We started in the Americas group four, working our way up to regional World Group II. We had some hiccups along the way, but the perseverance of the players, the association and through the support of the community has made this possible.

“It’s hard to believe that in February we were hoping to get a good result from the World Group II play-offs.

“That was a major milestone for us and I think if things didn’t go our way back then, we still would have been really happy that we’d made it to that level.”

The return of Davis Cup tennis to Bermuda for the first time since 1997 has been bolstered by strong corporate support.

“BLTA has been overwhelmed by the support that we have received for this event, from the corporate sponsors to individual sponsors and volunteers,” Wolfe said.

“On the corporate side, we have main sponsor HSBC, supported by partner sponsors One Communications, Bermuda Tourism Authority, Department of Sport and Recreation, John Barritt & Son Ltd and Apex Physio.

“We’ve also had so many individuals who stepped up as donors to our efforts here and in support of this team.

“With regard to volunteers, that has been absolutely phenomenal. We have local line persons in training to do this event and some children doing the ball persons training to work at the event and help the Bermuda team.

“We also have a slew of volunteers who will be working throughout the event this coming weekend.

“The support staff at the WER Joell Stadium have been a big help in getting this event up and running over the last week or so. They’ve really gone out of the way to help us to make this an event for Bermuda to be proud of.

“I can’t go without thanking the core team of individuals. I don’t want to name them in particular, but they certainly know who they are.

“The amount of hours and dedication that they have put in is phenomenal. People don’t realise the amount of work and energy taken to make this a success, from the late nights and numerous meetings, coordination that’s gone into this is absolutely tremendous.”