Gavin Manders has been presented with the International Tennis Federation Davis Cup Commitment Award.

Manders was honoured on Wednesday at the Davis Cup in Asuncion, Paraguay, where the Bermuda team are competing in Americas group three.

The 37-year old has been playing Davis Cup tennis since 2004 and this is the fifteenth time he has competed in the tournament. That is a Bermuda record he shares with Jenson Bascome.

The Bermudian tennis ace was presented with his accolade in Paraguay on centre court at Club Internacional de Tennis together with players from the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Honduras and Venezuela.

Manders becomes the second Bermudian to receive the honour after Bascome in 2016, with the honour bestowed upon players who have shown long-term dedication to representing their countries in the Davis Cup.

“For 15 nominations for his country Bermuda, first time in 2004, played 56 ties, record most singles wins with 18, joint record for most years played for Bermuda with 15, Gavin Manders,’’ read the citation for his award.

Manders explained that he was meant to receive the award in 2020 but because there was no Davis Cup as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, he only got his accolade on Wednesday.

“I was given the commitment award and technically I was eligible for the 2020 Davis Cup but it was Covid-19, so they didn't have it,’’ said Manders.

“When they had the ceremony on centre court for all the players that received the ITF Davis Cup Commitment Award, I was also put up there with them because I missed my opportunity.”

Manders also shares the record for the most Bermuda wins in the Davis Cup at 32 with Bascome, but he has an opportunity to draw clear when he takes to the court against Panama today.

“Yesterday [Wednesday], I tied Jenson but I play doubles tomorrow and I really should be able to win that, which would give me the record.”

The honour comes just a few weeks after Manders completed the ITF Level 2 coaching badge for advanced players to make him the most qualified tennis coach on the island in terms of qualifications offered by the sport’s world governing body.

On Wednesday, Manders partnered James Finnigan to give Bermuda their first rubber in this year’s Davis Cup against Venezuela. Manders and Finnigan lost the first set before an injury to one of their opponents resulted in the Bermudians being declared the winners.

Venezuela had already clinched the three-match tie after winning the singles matches. Rafael Abdul Salam defeated Richard Mallory 7-6, 6-4 and Daniel Phillips put up a fight despite losing 6-0, 6-7, 6-3 to Ricardo Rodriguez.

Bermuda started their campaign with a 3-0 loss to Bolivia on Tuesday. Raul Garcia defeated Richard Mallory in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 before Juan Carlos Prado Angelo fought hard to overcome Phillips 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. Cuellar Lorberg Agustin Eduard combined with Garcia to beat Manders and Finnigan 6-2, 6-1.

Bermuda square off against Panama in their final group match.