'The reward for years of effort': Mexico M55 thrive as home favourites
‘Me-xi-co, Me-xi-co, Me-xi-co’, the crowd chants. Jaime Olive steps up to serve. His partner Rogelio Guerrero crouches low. It is match point – Mexico.
The tie is already over, two agonising and brutal losses in the singles against Spain which both ended with exactly the same scoreline, 7-6 2-6 4-6. But this doubles match still matters greatly for Jaime, the rest of the Mexico Men’s 55+ team, and the cheering spectators.
To record a victory against the eventual champions of the M55+ would mean a lot, especially to Jaime, playing at Raqueta Bosques, his local club since it was founded in 1977. Jaime serves and volleys in his trademark style, the opponent nets, Mexico wins 6-3, 7-6(5).
Despite this hugely impressive win, Mexico were consigned to the 9th-12th play-off of the Austria Cup after finishing second in their round-robin group.
Jaime also rues the disappointment of missing out on the two lucky loser spots available in draws with 17-23 teams at ITF World Team Masters Championships. Nevertheless, the Mexican team could still reflect on the significance of competing at a World Championships in their home nation in front of family and friends.
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"We are proud of our matches against Spain," Jaime tells itftennis.com. "The result could have gone either way. Although we lost, whatever we achieve is great because we are playing at home."
For Jaime, as a committee member at Club Raqueta Bosques – one of the three host venues of the 2024 ITF World Masters Team Championships (50-55-60) alongside Centro Deportivo Israelita and Reforma Athletic Club – it represents a personal achievement that the World Championships are being held at his local club.
"To host the Masters World Championships is a long-awaited prize," he added. "We have wanted to host a tournament like this for such a long time. For us, it is the reward for years of effort and it is a pleasure to host a tournament like this."
Jaime also emphasises the importance of the World Championships being held in Mexico for increasing interest and participation in Masters tennis.
"Hosting the World Championships here in Mexico City will show players from across the nation that this is something they can be part of," he said.
After losing to Spain, Mexico recorded impressive victories against Costa Rica, South Africa, and Sweden, eventfully finishing in 9th place. This represented an impressive week for a team driven by the passion and emotion of competing on home soil.