… Guyanese tennis player adjusting to life on NCAA circuit

GUYANA’S Afruica Gentle is relishing the opportunity at competing against some of the top collegiate players on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division One circuit, with Coppin State University. The 19-year-old local tennis ace acquired the scholarship to Coppin State University, one of the top historically black institutions in the US, in 2020.
Speaking exclusively to Chronicle Sport yesterday, Gentle, the youngest of four siblings, said she drew inspiration from her close friend, Gavin Lewis who also attended and graduated from Coppin State. While at the Baltimore, Maryland-based University, Gentle will be reading for a Degree in Criminal Justice and Corrections.
“College life has been great so far since it’s not very different from back home. However, there is a big cultural gap,” Gentle said.

In chronicling her journey from a humble life in Guyana to the NCAA, Gentle said she started playing tennis at age five with the Park Players Tennis Club, under coaches Debbie Bunbury-Greene and Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan. However, after transitioning from the U-14 category, Gentle moved over to the Roraima Tennis Club under coaches Dexter Lewis and Rebecca Mitchell. Both coaches, she said, have been instrumental in her development. “I grew up watching my bigger sister Shawna excel at tennis during her time as a junior so I always had it in my head that I wanted to be as good as my sister or even better. While at Roraima my game elevated tremendously,” Gentle reasoned. Reigning local female champion, Cristy Campbell, was named by Gentle as a mentor, one of her sponsors for the scholarship, adding “she has been a great influence on my decision-making to pursue my academics and sports at a higher level.

She always encouraged me to be disciplined, both on and off court. It was always a dream of mine to play college tennis.”
Gentle thanked her parents and family for the support given throughout her tennis career.
“Also my main sponsor Mr Salim of Builders Lumber Yard and Mr Bunbury of Frontline Hardware Store and also I’d like to thank the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, for his support and all Roraima Tennis Club members,” Gentle stated while extending gratitude to everyone who would fave helped along the journey.
Meanwhile, Gentle is expected to be in action for Coppin State University in their first outing this season against Saint Joseph University in Philadelphia on February 13.
The always-smiling player told Chronicle Sport that she also intends to play USTA tournaments in the summer.