Bermuda tennis starlet Tyler Smith was all smiles yesterday after Digicel Bermuda awarded the talented youngster with a financial boost of $2,000 to help her with equipment, books and other necessities.

Currently attending the prestigious Adams/Flynn Tennis Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Smith, who is the best player in her age group in the Caribbean, was gracious in accepting the donation, and said it was an honour to be selected by the mobile giant.

On hand for the announcement were David Lambert, the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) president, Digicel CEO Wayne Caines and the tennis player's mother Alison Smith.

"I'm excited and grateful for Digicel coming on board and helping me with the donations," said 13-year-old Smith, who is also featured in a wall mural in the Court Street branch.

"They didn't have to do this so it's an honour for them to select me."

Smith, along with her mother, will also be provided with Digicel phones to stay connected while the youngster is abroad for school and matches. Mrs. Smith will also receive complimentary local phone service, while her daughter will be given $150 worth of free prepaid credit each month to use while roaming.

With a career that is still in its infancy, Smith has played against the top players in South America in tournaments in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia this year, while also competing at home on the local circuit.

In Bermuda she won the Argus Open, beating Cayla Cross, while also making the final of the WER Joell Memorial last weekend, losing to Tara Lambert. Last year Smith joined up with two other young Bermuda prospects, Chris Rego and Clementine Keyes, to help the Island win the Caribbean 13 and Under Championships in Trinidad and Tobago for the first time.

Also making it a year to remember, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) picked Smith to attend a regional training camp in Cuba.

Although she was too young to represent Bermuda at the recently completed CAC Games, Smith knows she has plenty of time to make her mark at the senior level.

"By playing other tennis players (at the academy) who are at the same level as I am, if not better, it allows me to raise my game," she said. "I can only get better by playing against the best. I'll be going back to school and then we will see how things go from there."

BLTA president, Lambert, believes it crucial Smith continues her tennis education overseas so she can stretch herself against some of the best young players in world

"For Tyler, as much as we would love to have her here in Bermuda we know that it's crucial that she travels and plays against the best in the Caribbean and the world in order for her to raise her game," Lambert said.

"One of the reasons she has developed in such a short period of time is because she's at her school and learning the lifestyle of the sport, getting up early, going to train, going to school whilst also competing on the weekends.

"Being around other young players her age that have the same goals and aspirations as she does is also a welcome bonus."