I cam across Dustin Brown whilst reading some tweets by @Jamaica . Having told my FB friends that Jamaica needs to come along and turn tennis on its head as we do in athletics this is an interesting find or rather stumble upon.
Dustin is a Jamaican tennis player who was born in Germany. He is said to be the 1st Jamaican to play at Wimbledon for 40years. Although he lost his debut game to someone seeded above him. It may be worth knowing his world ranking is 55 places above that of the British number 2. So Mr Brown has a skill and talent that just needs tweaking. If tennis could gain such a high standing as athletics and cricket in Jamaica I am sure he would have had the pick of coaches. Let us hope he makes it happen.
Please read more on Dustin Brown in the Telegraph Article and check out his website .
Whilst searching for more info on this tennis player I cam across wonderful blog that showcases current and up and coming Black Tennis players including those making their ways through the tennis ranks from Junior to professional. Its called Black Tennis Pro's and is worth a browse or two.
I saw him play briefly yesterday and was pretty excited to see not a man of colour but a guy from the Caribbean. I hope he sorts his funding out, he has a lot of talent. I am not sure what benefits representing GB would bring him - I mean look at the state of British tennis.
ReplyDeleteTha is so true- he may due better staying a foreign player. Brits only support one male at a time. There was Henman now Murray who often says he is not British yet plays for GBR.
ReplyDeleteDustin, is fab, been around long enough for him not to be a stranger to Jamaicans but most don't know of him. He won the Soweto Open in South Africa Last summer and hit top 100 rank @ #99 in april/may all this without a coaching team and sponsorship. Something that I believe with just a bit of noise would be very possible. The Jamaican Tennis community executives are being lazy and slighting their responsibilities to Jamaican tennis by not do more to raise awareness of tennis's usain bolt and it will be Jamaica's loss. Playing for GBR would mean access to funding and coaching. Being were he is at right now very litle input will push him to the top 50, top 20, challenging the top 10 players. Help me make a noise (raise awareness)
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