Vincentian Ethan Kent, walked off with the most promising male player award in the Grade 2 COTECC Under-14 tournament held at the Barbados Racquet Club from April 4 to 9, 2026.
Kent was dominant in the group stage ending with a 3-0 record. He had clinical performances against Ryan Steuart of Trinidad and Tobago, 6-2 ,6-2; Michael Hamel-Smith also of Trinidad and Tobago, 6-2, 6-2; and Caleb Mark Wilson of Barbados, 6-1, 6-0.
Advancing to the Singles main draw, Kent navigated his way to the semi-final after defeating Justin Duncan of Trinidad and Tobago, 6-1, 6-1 and Vadim Aussepe Vinette of France 2-6, 1-6.
In the Doubles main draw, Kent and Liam Cave entered as the numbered seeds, receiving a bye in the round of 16. In the Quarter-finals the pair dismissed Cadiel Wilkin of St Kitts and Nevis and Barbados’ Caleb Mark
WIlson 6-1, 6-1 before falling in a tight semi-final battle to third seed Justin Duncan of Trinidad and Tobago and Kittian T’Zuriel Percival 6-2, 3-6, 6-10.
Ultimately, Kent left the Under-14 tournament with precious regional ranking points and enhanced his status as a rising prospect on the regional Tennis circuit.
Following the Under-14 sojourn, Kent stayed on to compete in the Barbados Bowl, an International Tennis Federation (ITF0 J30 Under-18 Tennis Tournament, staged from April 13 to 18, also at the Barbados Raquet Club.
Representing Coballt Racquet Sports, Kent’s promise was recognised, having punched above his weight,with coach Taj Ballantyne, welcoming this upward trajectory.
“While he did his best, the difference between him and the Under-18 players is the number of unforced errors. To be a better player we will be working more on his backhand, his volleys, his unforced error rate, and his shot decisions,” Ballantyne said.
During the Under-18 tournament, Kent faced tough match-ups against the number one seed Simon Mujoomdar, of Canada losing, 3-6 1-6.
In the Doubles main draw, he partnered with Brandon Warren of Barbados and fell in a close encounter to Nicholas Garcia (USA), and Alexandre Picard of France, 6-7, 5-7.
Reflecting on Kent’s back- to back outings, Ballantyne said, “ Overall, I am proud of how he performed in the tournaments, and we hope to produce some better results going forward.”
