Have we seen the last of Cecil Mamiit?
The answer, as of the moment, is big yes.
“As of this time it’s off,” said Philippine Lawn Tennis Association’s Randy Villanueva amid reports that Mamiit, who has given much honor to the country, is out of the RP team.
Sources said Mamiit, at 32 still a force to reckon with, will no longer suit up for the Philippines in its Asia-Oceania Group 2 Davis Cup tie against Hong Kong from March 6-8.
Mamiit has been the backbone of the RP Davis Cup team since 2006, leading the country to nine straight tie victories, and back to Group 1 from as low as Group 3.
Eric Taino, another Fil-Am and Mamiit’s partner, has earlier pulled out of the team. Together, they won the men’s doubles gold in the 2005 Manila SEA Games where Mamiit was the singles champion.
Mamiit and Taino also won the bronze in the 2006 Doha Asian Games where the former was also the bronze medalist in singles competition.
The same source said Mamiit’s failure to strike a new deal with Filipino tennis officials regarding his financial compensation forced him to pull out of the team.
Mamiit reportedly gets $10,000 for each Davis Cup appearance for the Philippines, which is a far cry from what he may earn when he competes in the ATP Tour of the Challenger events in the US.
“It’s not really the money because Cecil has sacrificed a lot for the Philippines. When he plays for us, he skips tournaments in the US where he can earn much more,” a local tennis official said.
Mamiit, now ranked No. 430 in the world from as high as No. 72 in 1999, is currently competing in the US, and is in fact doing well.
Villanueva, however, expressed hope that everything can be ironed out, and Mamiit could still be part of the team for the Davis Cup.
If indeed Mamiit opts to stay out of the RP team, expected to carry the load for the team is 23-year-old Treat Huey of the Virginia State University, Australian Open doubles champion Niño Alcantara, PJ Tierro and Johnny Arcilla.
Philta honorary chairman Col. Buddy Andrada said Huey is willing to play for the Philippines in the Davis Cup and even the Laos SEA Games in December.