The Davis Cup in St. John's has these tennis players with their eyes on the prize

One of tennis's most prestigious trophies made a stop at The Rooms in St. John's Thursday, where some of Newfoundland's up-and-coming tennis stars say it serves as inspiration.

The Davis Cup was won by Canada's men's team for the first time ever in November against Australia. The 110-centimetre tall, 104-kilogram trophy represents the epitome of men's international tennis, with the top players in the world representing their nation each year.

"It's a very important tournament," 12-year-old Eva-Lynn Rice of Paradise told CBC News. "Canada won it this year, and they played against lots of great players from around the world."

Rice said seeing the trophy in person was very special, and hopes Canada can make it a clean sweep by winning the Billie Jean King Cup — one of the top prizes in women's tennis — in November.

"I hope they win because it would be ... very inspiring for young people, tennis players. 'Cause you can achieve great things with lots of hard work, dedication and passion," Rice said. She's been playing tennis for six years, and has dreams of playing in the 2025 Canada Games in St. John's.

Nancy Taylor, a former president of Tennis Newfoundland and Labrador, said it's a great experience to show young players the Davis Cup in Newfoundland.

"The Stanley Cup of tennis is what it is," she said with a laugh.

"It's so inspiring for the younger generation to see what they can do. And we have some wonderful tennis players here in Newfoundland who are achieving great things, so it just makes people want to pick up a tennis racket all the more."

Current Tennis N.L. executive director Andy Ploughman hopes a player from this province can be on a future Davis Cup winning team, and is excited to show off the province's