‘We’re here to win’
Jamaica, Uruguay both confident and prepared for Davis Cup triumph
Published:Saturday | February 7, 2026 | 12:08 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
When the Davis Cup World Group II Playoffs tie between Jamaica and Uruguay takes place across this weekend, both teams will be gunning for the win following intense preparations ahead of the match.
Jamaica will play hosts to Uruguay at the The Liguanea Club in Kingston, with action to take place today and tomorrow.
The Davis Cup is the largest international men’s tennis tournament under the umbrella of the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
The World Group II Playoffs is set to be contested by 26 teams, with the 13 winners advancing to Group II of the 2026 Davis Cup, and the 13 losers to compete in Group III.
Jamaica will be represented by several of its top tennis players, including Blaise Bicknell, Rowland Phillips, Nicholas Gore, and Daniel Azar.
Speaking ahead of the tie, Bicknell said they are aware of what is at stake and the team is ready to give their all on the court.
“The preparation has been very good. The team is very prepared and we’re all in good spirits and it’s going to be a great weekend of tennis and I’m confident that we’re going to get the win,” Bicknell said.
“[Uruguay] is tough. I see them on the circuit and they’re on the clay courts more often, so I think the hard courts will give us an advantage so I’m looking forward to it.”
The tie will be a best-of-five, with two singles on the first day, before a double and two more singles on the second day.
Bicknell and Phillips will compete in the singles for Jamaica, where they will face off against the Uruguayan pair of Franco Roncadelli and Joaquin Aguilar.
Phillips said he is ready to take to the field, and will draw on his years of experience in the Davis Cup to help the team.
Phillips has played since 2015.
“Just the opportunity to play for my country over and over, it still feels like an honour and it never gets old,” Phillips said.
“You learn a lot through the situations, some tough matches, tough situations, tough conditions and you can take that going upward into new matches, so it helps me a lot.”
Windy weather
Uruguay are also confident of a win but team captain Ariel Behar holds some concerns with the windy weather condition in Jamaica.
Behar said the team has had some issues with their preparations due to the wind, and is hopeful for better conditions when his team takes to the court across the two days.
He said despite the issues, they have been pleased with their preparations and have their plans set for the two days.
“We have been preparing during the whole week with every combination possible. Our players are fit and they’re playing very well. They know each other well and they can play doubles as well so for the moment, that is what is planned for us on Sunday.
“Hopefully we’re going to have a bit less wind than [yesterday]. It was tough to play [yesterday] so people can enjoy some good tennis.”
The first singles match is set for 11 a.m. today between Phillips and Roncadelli, with the second match set to begin 15 minutes after the end of the first, between Bicknell and Aguilar.