The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.bet

THEY are often mistaken for twins, but sisters Abigail and Gabrielle Simms from Grand Bahama are hoping to just make their presence felt in tennis like Americans Venus and Serena Williams.

The duo, accompanied by their father Craig, played in the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s International Tennis Federation 2018 Goombay Splash Bowl at the National Tennis Centre.

Abigail, the older sibling at 17, advanced to the second round of singles where she lost a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 decision to American No.2 seed Nicole Kiefer on Tuesday.On Monday, Gabrielle, 15, got eliminated.

The two returned yesterday to play in the first round of doubles where they were ousted after losing 6-4, 6-2 to the team of Rola Abouzeina of Egypt and Andrea Guerrero of Mexico.

The duo, inspired by their older sister Hannah, who has paved the way by earning an athletic scholarship to attend Brescia University in Kentucky, said the tournament has only encouraged her to continue in the sport. “I’ve had some ups and downs, but I injured my (left) knee earlier this year,” she said. “I’m coming back, so it’s good to be playing here.

“It’s also cool to be playing with my sister because I have a doubles partner to play with all the time. I think it’s good to have someone who looks up to you and try to be like you.” Gabrielle, 15, has followed in the footsteps of her sisters since she was five. “Seeing how successful you can become and watching my sisters play is what motivates me to work harder,” she said.

She has been the top player in her age group in Grand Bahama and has played in the Orange Bowl in Florida last year where she gained some experience.

At 5-feet, 9-inches, Abigail said she has taught her younger sister a thing or two, winning every time they play. “I’m just better,” she said.

She noted that people mistake them for twins all the time, but “I don’t take it too well because obviously, I’m the prettier one. So to be compared to someone who is not at my level in beauty is kind of offensive.”

Gabrielle begged to differ. “She said she’s the prettier, but I think I am,” she said.

Proud father Craig said he also gets questions from people about whether or not they are twins. “They are basically the same height, wear the same style in clothing and hair,” he pointed out. “But we kind of clear it up for them.”

All jokes aside, Abigail said she envisions playing college tennis and getting a degree in business or engineering.

Gabrielle, known as the quiet one, said she hopes to get into an academy in the United States and eventually go to college. She admitted: “I should have won my first match here, but I guess it was a learning experience for next time.”

Proud father Craig said while their daughters are home schooled, he and his wife Della are trying to secure athletic scholarships for them to follow in the footsteps of Hannah, 18. “That’s why we chose this sport. We want to take advantage of the financial opportunities,” he pointed out.

So far, he said they have been progressing very well. “Coming from Grand Bahama, we don’t have as many resources and coaching, but we are making do with what we have,” he said. “So it’s working out fine.”

Having never played tennis before, Craig, 6-3 and Della, 5-11, feel that they have produced the genetic genes that will enable their daughters to excel in the sport.

“I want them to get a good tertiary education so we hope to take advantage of the financial support that is available through scholarships. That’s goal number one,” he stated. “Once they are done, they can try their hands at the professional level if they so chose. It’s all up to them.”

Craig Simms said from Grand Bahama, they have a smaller population to play against, so it’s good that the tournament is here and they can match up their skills against the talent from around the world.

At present, Abigail and Gabrielle are seeded No.2 and No.3 respectively in the 18-and-under division behind Sydney Clarke. Gabrielle is also seeded in the top three in under-16.