Guam will make their standalone debut in the Davis Cup tennis competition next month.
Players from the US Territory have previously competed as part of the Pacific Oceania team but Guam is now recognised as a Class B nation by the International Tennis Federation, allowing them to compete in their own right.
Daniel Llarenas has previous Davis Cup experience with Pacific Oceania. Photo: Supplied
President of the Guam National Tennis Federation, Torgun Smith, said 12 players put their hands up for selection to compete in Asia Oceania Zone Group Four in Oman next month.
Daniel Llarenas is the island's only player with previous Davis Cup experience, having represented Pacific Oceania between 2011 and 2016.
The 28 year old will be joined by US based college players Christopher Cajigan and Jean Pierre Huynh and locally based 17 year old Mason Caldwell.
Guam tennis player Mason Caldwell. Photo: Supplied
Torgun Smith, who will captain the team next month, said there is a good mix of youth and experience.
"This is the top of our development pyramid. Every year we have this Davis Cup opportunity for our players and hopefully it will inspire them to improve and play more and become heroes for our kids that are playing and something to look up to and look forward to," he said.
Guam National Tennis Federation President Torgun Smith. Photo: Supplied
"I believe (our Pacific neighbours are) supportive and I encourage them to do the same if they can. Many of our countries have strong programes - the ITF fee may be a barrier for the Class B (status), whereas Guam was able to secure sponsorships to be able to have the funds to pay the fee, but I think and I hope that eventually more of our Pacific countries will be able to make this step," suggested Torgun Smith.
"Although we take away from the Pacific team with Danny not eligible to play for the Pacific anymore we give opportunity to more players to have a chance to play in this prestigious event."
Guam will compete alongside Bahrain, Bangladesh, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Singapore, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates and host country Oman in Muscat next month.
Meanwhile Torgun Smith said Guam also hopes to enter a women's team in the Fed Cup in future.
