Former Baylor stars to represent their countries in ‘World Cup of Tennis’

Five years ago, Jon Peers and Roberto Maytin were a highly-decorated doubles tandem for the Baylor men’s tennis team. Their partnership produced a 36-6 doubles record that earned them All-America honors and took them all the way to the 2011 NCAA doubles quarterfinals. Now, they’re two of the top doubles players in the world, with the chance to prove themselves even further on an international stage.

Peers, a native Australian, and Maytin, from Venezuela, will be representing their home countries in this year’s Davis Cup, which begins today in first-round sites around the globe. The Davis Cup is a yearly event described as “the World Cup of tennis,” attracting teams from dozens of countries and providing the winner with a true world title.

For Peers, his first appearance in the international event provides him with a bit of home court advantage, as 2016 Davis Cup opening rounds are being held in his hometown of Melbourne. Peers, the No. 8-ranked doubles player in the world, was selected to represent Australia in doubles play, starting with this weekend’s pivotal opening matches. The Davis Cup nod is the latest milestone for Peers, who has built a strong pro career after his stellar senior year at Baylor, which saw him earn 2011 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors. He won his first professional doubles title two years later, and has gone on to win seven doubles titles in all in the last four seasons.

Roberto Maytin has become a familiar face in Davis Cup play, representing his native Venezuela four times while still in high school and college. Like Peers this year, Maytin will also enjoy the honor of competing in his hometown, playing in opening round action in Valencia, Venezuela. Maytin is best known for doubles play and takes a top-200 international ranking into this year’s Cup.

Davis Cup play begins this weekend, but rounds stretch out through the year. Further rounds will continue this July, September and November, when we’ll hope to be cheering on two former Bears in the championship round.

Sic ’em, John and Roberto!