Hill hails Burke's Ivy League feat

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Tennis Jamaica president, Aubyn Hill, says he is elated with the achievement of top local tennis player, 18-year-old Brandon Burke, who was recently named Ivy League Rookie of the Year in the United States, following a vote by the league's eight head coaches.

Describing the feat as a welcome one for tennis in Jamaica, Hill, who is in his second year as president, also said he was looking forward to Burke transferring his achievement to the national team, which is scheduled to participate in the Davis Cup later this year.

ivy league

The Ivy League is a prestigious athletic conference in the North-eastern United States.

"It's an excellent achievement by Brandon," said Hill. "We hope to see him continue to excel in his endeavours and that he will continue to work with Tennis Jamaica to represent Jamaica in upcoming Davis Cup competitions."

Burke, a freshman at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, in addition to being named Rookie of the Year, was also named a member of the All-Ivy singles and doubles teams.

Burke is the second men's tennis player to ever be named Rookie of the Year, joining 2004 winner Jamie Cerretani. Cerretani has since enjoyed a successful professional career and is currently ranked No. 72 on the ATP doubles tour.