Chin to represent Jamaica in Davis Cup as pro
TENNIS player John Chin is set to represent Jamaica in the upcoming Davis Cup tie for the first time since turning professional.
Chin, 19, a former top junior, made one of the best professional debuts in men’s tennis in the second half of last year. While still only 18 years old he played through the qualifying round and into the semi-finals of a men’s $25,000 tournament in the Dominican Republic in his first-ever professional competition.
He recorded his first professional doubles win in Santo Domingo in November after partnering with Miles Jones of the USA against Aydan Gomez-osorio (Netherlands) and Kaipo Marshall of Barbados. Chin and Miles won in straight sets 6-1, 7-6.
“The transition from the junior circuit to the pro circuit is definitely a step up in skill level,” said the Mandeville native who is trained locally by Ryan Russell of Russell Tennis Academy.
“It is very challenging but I will continue to work on my game and hopefully improve my ranking this year.”
Having reached a junior ITF (International Tennis Federation) career-high ranking of 211, Chin hopes to better that on the pro circuit. He ended 2022 ranked 1019 on the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Men’s Singles pro tour.
He played his freshman year of college tennis at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in 20212022, where he went undefeated at 8-0 in the spring season. MTSU ended the year ranked in the top 20 of NCAA Division 1 men’s tennis. After one season in Tennessee, Chin decided to transfer to Boise State University (BSU) in Idaho where he will wear the colours of the Broncos.
“I am looking forward to training with the Boise men’s tennis team. I want to make an impact on the team and to help BSU reach our goals for the 2023 spring season and beyond. BSU’S Head Coach Luke Shields and Assistant Coach Alexander Free both have excellent reputations as coaches and I expect to do well under their tutelage,” says Chin.
Chin, a two-time representative on Jamaica’s Davis Cup team, is preparing for another Davis Cup battle from February 4-5 when Jamaica takes on Estonia on home turf.
He is one of only three Jamaican men who are currently ranked on the ATP tour. Blaise Bicknell leads the group as the highest-ranked player at 764. Chin is second at 1019, followed by Rowland “Randy” Phillips at 1398. All three men are slated to play for Jamaica in the tie against Estonia.