Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
18-YEAR-OLD Mutare tennis ace, Tashinga Mtisi – who made his Davis Cup debut appearance this year – is now shifting from ITF Juniors competitions to playing among seniors as he sets sights on migration to the US.
As part of the Zimbabwean Davis Cup team, alongside Benjamin and Courtney Lock, Ethan Sibanda, and non-playing captain, Gwinyai Tongoona, the Mantas Tennis Academy player and St Dominic’s High School learner faced off the Moroccans at Harare Sports Club.
Speaking from Harare where he is playing in the Tracey Mason seniors tournament, Mtisi said: “I am currently applying for college in the US, hoping to go in January, but with the visa situation, I might delay a bit, probably go in August.
“I have kept my options open to playing futures (men’s ITF tournaments) too since I am done with junior ITFs. I have not really picked the tournaments to play next year because of the budget (flights and accommodation).
“It is expensive to travel to countries like Tunisia or Egypt. So l will probably look for tournaments close by like Botswana, South Africa and Mozambique.
“I am also looking forward to go back to the academy in France for a few months before I start college, hopefully I will play some tournaments that side and boost my Universal Tennis Rating (UTR).”
Universal Tennis Rating, a global system that provides a single, objective number (1.00-16.50) to measure any player’s skill, regardless of age, gender, or nationality, by analysing match results to find fair, level-based play and connect players for competitive matches.
It helps players find suitable opponents, track progress, and create a universal standard for skill assessment.
Such was his grand entry to the seniors’ competitions that he was able to reach the finals in both the men’s doubles and singles at the Tracey Mason contest in Harare.
Be that as it may, Mtisi has seen a steady rise in his career, especially this year when he won almost all of the competitions that he participated in.
Only recently, Mtisi participated in the ITF South Central Zim Leg 7, the ITF South Central Zim Leg 8 and ITF 18s and under J30 Harare where he emerged the singles and doubles winner. In the Bulawayo tournament, Mtisi had the company of some Mutare-based players such as Tinotenda Chipfakacha of Mutare Girls’ High, Princeton Institute quartet of Thandiwe Nkala, Kevin Saravoye, Tapiwa Mungwari and Lucia Sitemere.
Although they were ultimately outplayed by the technically superior Moroccan team in his Davis Cup appearance, Mtisi cherished the opportunity to represent his country on the big stage. In an interview from Maputo, Mozambique, back then, Mtisi expressed his pride, saying: “I felt honoured to represent Zimbabwe. As the youngest player on the team, I was thrilled to have played for my country on such a prestigious platform.
“I had a lot of pressure though because people were looking up to me and expected results. But for my first experience, it was amazing. I have no regrets. I would like to thank my coaches and Tennis Zimbabwe for giving me the opportunity, and everyone who made it possible for me to get there.”
On the lessons learnt from his Davis Cup debut, Mtisi said: “I learnt a lot. Obviously, I played with guys older than me and though l lost, I really picked up a few things that I am working on during practice sessions. Personally, I think it was just a matter of experience. Playing bigger tournaments and playing on a bigger stage, controlling nerves on pressure points and giving your best when it matters the most is all that I need to perfect.”
