Mr Daovone Phachanthavong (fourth left), federation officials and tennis players pose at the Vientiane Tennis Club on Saturday.

Lao tennis players make historic showing at Davis Cup

Four Lao tennis players are taking part in the Davis Cup, the first time that Laos has competed in the prestigious international event, with matches currently being played in Bahrain from October 17-22.
The tennis players are delighted to have this new opportunity to compete on the world stage and are hoping to make a good impression on their first appearance in the tournament.
The players are Vithaya Raxavady, Sathaphone Simmalavong, Somphone Xongvilay and Xaysavath Chansomphou, led by Mr Vongsavath Chansomphou and a trainer from Singapore.
They will play in men’s singles and doubles matches.
President of the Lao Tennis Federation, Mr Daovone Phachanthavong, on Friday handed over funds to support the participation of the players and the trainer in the Davis Cup.
Mr Daovone said Laos’ first foray into this level of international competition was supported by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
“We are honoured to see Lao tennis players competing on the international stage and pleased to know that the Lao flag will be seen by tennis fans around the world,” he added.
The players have been coached by their Singapore trainer, who led the Lao team to win a bronze medal at the SEA Games in Vietnam in May.
The Davis Cup competition dates back to 1900.
The matches currently being played in Bahrain are contested by players representing 17 countries.
Laos is in the second group which also includes Turkmenistan, Kuwait, Cambodia, Guam, Mongolia, Singapore, Bhutan and Bahrain. The winners in this group will continue on to the next round of the competition. 
In other international events, four female tennis players from Laos took part in the Billie Jean King Cup in Malaysia in August this year.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update October 19, 2022)