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Nkosilathi Sibanda Sports Reporter
TENNIS Zimbabwe (TZ) is optimistic of a better performance at the Davis Cup tournament this year, as four of the nation’s top players have been chosen to compete in the senior men Africa Group three qualifiers set to take place in Abuja, Nigeria from July 15 to 20.
The quartet includes Benjamin Lock, Courtney Lock, Lyle Zaloumis and Takanyi Garanganga. Zimbabwe leads in rankings in the six nation group that comprises Benin, Namibia, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria.
Captained by seasoned Garanganga, Team Zimbabwe are listed in position 72 on the Davis Cup circuit, followed by Ivory Coast at 79, Benin (83) and Ghana (89). Namibia and Nigeria are tied at position 92.
Benjamin has recorded an impressive game this year, having won six doubles titles in different competitions held in France, Ethiopia, Colombia and Australia. Of these, four were won playing along with his brother Courtney.
Zaloumis (20) is transitioning from junior to professional level and was part of the Africa Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 team in Malawi and has started playing ATP and Futures tournaments.
In the Team Zimbabwe reveal made last week, TZ president Walter Jera said they were fully behind the Davis Cup troupe, who will be sponsored by telecommunications giant Econet.
He praised the Government for the support rendered to the team.
“The Zimbabwean senior men’s Davis Cup tennis team will again be flying the nation’s flag as they do battle in the Group III Davis Cup Africa Group Tie in Abuja, Nigeria. As you are all aware the Davis Cup is the World Cup of tennis because of its format that draws one hundred and thirty countries in a knockout format.
“Tennis Zimbabwe is fully behind the players and captain selected to represent the country in Nigeria. Allow me to take this opportunity to announce our Davis Cup Team Platinum sponsor, Econet. We are grateful for their trust in our vision. To the Government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture thank you for coming through with funding the team’s flights to Nigeria from their different bases. Tennis Zimbabwe feels greatly honoured. We wish our Team Success in Nigeria, taking us back to Group II,” said Jera.
He said given the pedigree of players in the Zimbabwe team, the country might return to its former glory as one of the most respected in the Davis Cup contest.
“Zimbabwe takes pride in having participated in the Davis Cup since 1963, with our best achievement being reaching the quarter finals in the World Group in 1998. “We are in the process of rebuilding our performance to once again get back to the glorious years when the dominant American and European feared being drawn against Zimbabwe. The pursuit to make Zimbabwe a world class tennis nation, continues to be our focus as we participate in different competitions at all levels from junior teams to senior teams. We have what it takes to build a World Class Tennis Nation if we commit to the process.”
TZ Technical Director Linset Chitiyo was confident that they will pull through to the next stage and were banking on their latest rankings to put up a good fight on court.
“There will be one pool of six teams. The top three teams will be promoted. The bottom two teams will be relegated. Based on the rankings, Zimbabwe is favourite to get promoted,” said Chitiyo.
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