Lock stays positive

Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub

AFTER being forced to withdraw from the team for the Davis Cup tie against Morocco due to an injury, Zimbabwe’s top player Benjamin Lock says he has been making positive strides in his recovery and is looking forward to returning to action.

Lock, who is the country’s number one player, suffered an elbow injury during training just a few weeks before the World Group II Play-offs tie against Morocco at Harare Sports Club.

Zimbabwe resultantly struggled on the court without their top seed.

Speaking to Zimpapers Sports on the sidelines of the 2024 Annual National Sports Awards in Harare, Lock shared some insights on his 2024 season and how he is working towards his recovery from the injury.

The tennis ace was the second runner-up for the Sportsman of the Year award, crowning a fine season which he spoke highly of, describing 2024 as “my best year’’.

“Highlights were making the finals of singles and doubles in the African Games, getting two silver medals, equalling the record in Davis Cup for the most total wins ever for Zimbabwe, sharing the record with Byron Black, so that was a big honour.”

“And then also I won 127 matches last year, it’s the most I have ever won in all of my career.

“It was a fantastic year and just sad that this year I have been injured for the first couple of months.

“But looking to start playing again in June and hopefully have a good six months.

“I am recovering fairly well. I had a good scan the other day so it shows a good sign that all my rehab and all the hard work I have been doing has been paying off,” said Lock.

Having missed the last Davis Cup tie, in which Zimbabwe lost to Morocco, and found themselves being relegated back to Africa Group III, Lock is already looking at how he can help the team bounce back to World Group II Play-offs.

“And going forward I think the main goal for me would be the Davis Cup on August 11th.

“We are hosting here in Zimbabwe the Group III Africa Zone, so that would be a big area to focus on.

“And hopefully I get to play about two months of that before competitive matches and preparing for the Davis Cup,” he said.

While he is not certain about what to expect on his return, he is staying positive as the healing process continues.

And he was excited to be able to attend the ANSA event in Harare.

“I don’t know what to expect coming out of an injury, I have never had one like this before.

“But every day, keep working hard and try to do the right things and hopefully I will be in good form in a couple of months.

“I was very happy to be invited here as a nominee and to win bronze for Sportsman of the Year.

“It’s obviously great to get recognition for your achievements in the year and, it was so nice.

“Normally I am not available for these types of events just because of the tournament schedule.

“So, it’s so nice to be here with my parents and all the other athletes and to attend a function like this,” added                                                                                  Lock.