ST. MICHAEL, Barbados – Duquesne junior men's tennis player Kaipo Marshall competed in the 2022 Davis Cup this weekend in his home country of Barbados.

The Davis Cup, also known as the "World Cup of Tennis," is an international team event where the best men's tennis players in the world compete against each other while representing their respective countries.

"Playing for my country is such an honor and it has been my dream since I was a kid," said Marshall. "Having the chance to put Barbados on the map by showcasing the talent coming out of the island is something I will never take for granted. Also, the idea of inspiring the next generations to strive for their best inspires me to take the team to new heights."

Marshall, a native of Christ Church, Barbados, competed at the event for the second-straight year and the fourth time overall. This event took place in Barbados last year as well.

"Whenever the Davis Cup is scheduled to play in Barbados there is always a different feeling to it, a good feeling," said Marshall. "You get to visit friends and family the week before while training with the best players from the country. The goal has always been to take Barbados tennis to the next level and I have always pictured myself doing it at home in front of my home crowd."

Barbados took on Ireland this week at the National Tennis Centre in St. Michael in the World Group II First Round, but were defeated. Regardless, the experience Marshall has gotten internationally has only helped him as a tennis player.

"As you can imagine, playing for your country comes with a lot of pride, but it also comes with pressure and expectations," said Marshall. "As I continue to play more Davis Cup matches, I become more and more comfortable with dealing with any nerves I might experience."

Marshall competed in the same event in 2021, and although he now has some experience under his belt, he is still the youngest member of the Barbados team competing at this year's Davis Cup.

When Marshall is finished competing, he will travel back to Pittsburgh and get back to work as a student-athlete at Duquesne. He will immediately get the chance to be right back on the court with the Dukes, as the men's team opens its 2022 fall season at the Carnegie Mellon Invitational Sept. 23-24.

"Competing at these types of events also helps me with learning how to be a good communicator within a team, and how to be a better leader," said Marshall. "These are all skills that will help me be a better team player at Duquesne. Therefore, by bettering my own tennis skills and learning how to perform in a team environment, I get the chance to help my team be as successful as we can be."

Marshall is one of five returners for the Duquesne men's tennis team that went 10-10 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the A-10 Championship in 2021.

The men's team competes at the CMU Invitational Friday and Saturday to begin its fall season. 

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