Bermuda’s 2024 Davis Cup team has been announced.

Tariq Simons, Trey Mallory, Daniel Phillips, James Finnigan and newcomer Jack Keyes have been named in the squad for the tournament which starts in Asunción, Paraguay, on June 17.

Simons makes a return after missing last year’s competition as a result of an issue with his travel documents and the 23-year-old, a member of the team that earned promotion from group four in Trinidad & Tobago two years ago, is glad to be back on duty for the island.

“I’m as excited as I should be especially considering that I missed last year,’’ Simons said.

“I wasn't really excited about tennis a year ago because of certain events that had happened, but I have all my ducks in a row now and I’m excited to go and compete for Bermuda again.

“This is the strongest version of the Bermuda team that I’ve ever known. We are the youngest team we've had in a while and we are the strongest in terms of how many guys are pursuing tennis full time.

“Trey, Daniel and myself are full time in the game, so we’re ready and hungry to compete.

“We’re just looking to handle business day by day. It’s a big event and we’re going up against strong competition. We are strong enough to do well this year If our team is in harmony and if all of us are prepared and working together.”

Keyes is thrilled to finally get called up for the Davis Cup and is relieved to have fulfilled an ambition.

“I’m really grateful and honoured to be part of the team,’’ Keyes said. “It’s something that I’ve been aiming towards for a number of years.

“I guess since I came back on the island it’s been top of my list because I played Junior Davis Cup a number of times.

“When I came back to the island in 2021 after living in London, I’ve always wanted to prove to myself that I’m at a level to play in the Davis Cup, so I’m looking forward to experiencing it and representing Bermuda.

“We’re all very competitive against each other and it’s really down to who coach chooses.”

As well as announcing the team, the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association has selected Steve Bean as captain, with physiotherapist and former Davis Cup player Jenson Bascome part of the travelling contingent.

Also accompanying the team will be Mike Wolfe, the BLTA president, veteran player Gavin Manders and a number of local supporters.

The team leaves for Paraguay next Thursday and will have a few days to get acclimatised before the competition starts at Club Internacional de Tenis.

Captain Bean has been working with Simons, Keyes and Finnigan on island, while Mallory and Philips have been playing in the United States.

“Three of the five members of the Bermuda Davis Cup team, Tariq, James and Jack have been training here together for the past few months, on clay, at the Coral Beach and Tennis Club,’’ Bean said.

“The other two players, Trey and Daniel, are continuing their training overseas, but I am really encouraged by the team’s effort and attitude.

“Each player has been positive and has worked extremely hard on the tennis court, pushing each other to improve and do better.

“The team spirit is high, and it is a joy working with the players. All in all I am incredibly pleased with the team’s preparation. The competition is going to be tough, but we are ready and are looking forward to competing.”

Ricky Mallory, the BLTA national tennis director, feels that the team is adequately prepared despite not having a pre-tournament camp.

“In the past, the team usually travelled to a training camp before the Davis Cup competition, but this year it was not logistically possible,’’ Mallory said.

“Thanks to captain Steve Bean, we have prepared as best as we can, and I feel the team is ready for another challenge.

“In Paraguay, veteran player Gavin Manders, who has retired from international competition, will be on hand to provide additional coaching and moral support.

“We also have Jenson Bascome, another experienced former Davis Cup player, officially travelling as the team’s physiotherapist.

“Without Jenson last year, and his hands-on work, a few of our players wouldn’t have been able to perform day in and day out, so for that I know the team is very appreciative.

“Group three, like last year, will be very tough with most countries boasting ATP-ranked players.

“I appreciate the team’s hard work and approach to this competition, and I am sure they will value the support from the rest of the travelling contingent.”

Wolfe views this year’s assignment as a one of the stiffest Bermuda has faced.

“While acknowledging that this may be Bermuda’s toughest campaign ever based on the nations we will compete against, I am looking forward to another strong performance by our team,’’ the BLTA president said.

“Having competed in this group last year it will have provided our players with a level of familiarity with competition.

“This experience, along with some recent performances by our players will put us in a position to compete and continue to represent Bermuda to the best of their ability.”