GROS-ISLET, Saint Lucia; Wednesday August 8th 2007 – Renowned tennis
coach Bill Adams had nothing but high praise for the number three seeded
player in the 2007 Coca-Cola ITF Junior Tennis Tournament, Kevin Deligny of
Saint Lucia.
In a statement issued following Deligny’s 6-3 3-6 6-3 defeat of Jamaican
Brandon Burke, Adams had this to say. “I do not do this but I will say this today.
Kevin is the one kid I think in the Caribbean that has the potential of really
going to the next level, mainly because of his mental discipline.”
Deligny was beaten by Burke about three years ago, and during today’s
Stadium Court match, Adams was like a caged cat, pacing with control venom as
Deligny relaxed against Brandon when he was up 2-love, and was seemingly
not playing according to the game plan.
When questioned about this, Deligny stated, “I tend to relax at times and it
could be a problem with tiredness related to energy lost.”
However the 14-year-old recognized the improvement that has taken place,
pointing out “In the last few years the tournament has been stronger than this
year because there is a new generation of tennis players coming through.”
He was of the opinion that there are a few players in his age group “that can
pull away from the rest of the Caribbean players and make it internationally.”
When asked about his plans in the sport of tennis and making it unto the
international scene, Deligny said, “Definitely I have to be different from the
other guys. If I keep my head on I have a pretty good chance but have to up
my game for the next round.”
He advised the present crop of players and those who are interested in playing
the sport that they must “listen to what is being told to you, and have to step
out of the group and be a leader.”
He is looking forward to one day being able to challenge Organisation of
Eastern Caribbean States number one Vernon Lewis and the heir to Lewis
throne Alberton Richelieu jar, for the number one spot, but recognized that that
would not be an easy task against these two talented players.
He was not happy with the mentality of Saint Lucian sportsmen and women,
which he said is one of the main reasons for the failures being experienced on
the courts and fields of play.
“Try your hardest and believe that you can do it for that is the problem,” Kevin
Deligny concluded. “I think Saint Lucians has the skill but they do not have the
self-confident that they can beat the international players.”
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