Barbados will be opposing Paraguay in a Davis Cup Group 2 tennis tie at the National Tennis Centre, Wildey, starting tomorrow and continuing on Saturday and Sunday.
Today, NATIONSPORT profiles two of the Barbados players, Haydn Lewis and Darian King. Profiles of the other two Barbados players, Seanon Williams and Anthony Marshall, will be published tomorrow.
DARIAN KING
This rising star is an exceptionally talented baseliner with no apparent weaknesses.
King is equally potent and consistent from his forehand and backhand wing which together with his flawless footwork, makes it seem as if his opponents are playing against three of him at the same time.
His exceptional return of serve, lightning quick movement around the court, outstanding volleys and pin-point accuracy makes Barbados’ No. 1 player a force to be reckoned with at any level anywhere in the world.
Age: 19
Right-handed player, two-handed backhand.
Highest singles rank: 700
Current singles rank: 723
Highest doubles rank: 547
Current doubles rank: 547
Parents: Wesley King, the late Myrna King
Siblings: Amory King 28, Christopher King 21, Brian King 27.
Schools: Wilkie Cumberbatch, The Lodge School
Years playing tennis: 10
Hobbies: tennis, football
Role model: Jo Wilfried Tsonga
Favourite tennis player: Gael Monfils
Favourite music: dub, rap
Favourite artists: Movado, Wiz Khalifa
Favourite foods: pasta, hamburgers, chipotle
Favourite restaurant: Tony Roma’s, Chili’s
Favourite TV show: The Watch, Two and a Half Men
Favourite tennis brand: K-Swiss
Other: Also represented Barbados in football at the junior level.
Worst tennis experience: Playing in the Davis Cup in El Salvador in 2009. I just could not play well due to the high altitude and the clay courts.
Best tennis experience: Winning three ITF tournaments. I won in the Bahamas, St Maarten and in Barbados.
Goals: To be ranked in the top 400 players in the ATP ranking.
