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ITFWORLD SUMMER 2014 11 www.itftennis.com A s the French Open entered its second week at the start of June with the action at the second Grand Slam of the year intensifying, there was a tennis event just as fiercely fought 4,300 miles away from the clay courts of Roland Garros. The lower echelons of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas, with their round-robin format, are akin to a dogfight. In Humacao, Puerto Rico, nine nations, over the course of six days, battled it out in Americas Group III for two promotion places. With so much tennis to be played in a short space of time — five ties were played over six days — it is a sustained physical and mental test. Experience counts for much, hence it is no coincidence that a number of the competition's stalwarts can be found at this level. They are the unsung heroes whose commitment to their country's cause is unwavering. Puerto Rico's Gilberto Alvarez is one of them. At 1-1, the hosts' promotion play- off against the Bahamas had come down to the wire in a tense deciding doubles rubber. Thirty-two-year-old Alvarez and partner Alex Llompart held their nerve, though, beating Jamaal Adderley and Marvin Rolle 61 57 61 to clinch promotion, along with Costa Rica, to Group II after being relegated the year before. Alvarez has been a part of his country's Davis Cup team since making his debut at the age of 19 in 2001. He has since gone on to play more ties than any of his compatriots, the total currently sitting at 38. This was one of the best. "That's one of the greatest feelings I have had, helping the team to be promoted again," said Alvarez. "That was one of our goals to move up to Group II. I think that is what every country is playing for, to go up to the higher level. To clinch that match was very special." Alvarez's story is a typical example of the unsung heroes that turn up year in, year out. The Ponce native's last professional tour appearance was in 2006, the year in which he reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 1488, and he is now based in Atlanta, USA, with his wife and two children, where he has his own tennis academy. "My main focus is providing food for my family so the academy is what I do for a living," he said. "I still have to stay healthy. This game is very demanding physically so as long as I stay healthy I will keep going. The love and passion and respect for the game is what keeps me going. I can play until my body says stop. "I try to stay in shape by playing in Atlanta. There is a group of guys who get together and practise and play. There's an Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA) league which is very competitive. A lot of college guys play during the summer and Omar Al Awadhy of UAE has played 72 ties, all in Groups III and IV of Davis Cup by BNP Paribas San Marino's Domenico Vicini holds the Davis Cup record for most ties played, clocking up 92 and counting