Tennis Zimbabwe 2014 events calendar released

Harare Bureau
TENNIS Zimbabwe have released their 2014 calendar with two futures events and the Senior Davis Cup being the major tournaments of the year.Zimbabwe had hoped to host futures events this year in October but had to move the events to next year after the International Tennis Federation indicated that they can only have the tournaments this month.

But the national association felt that they would not get as many players as they would want since the dates were close to the holidays.
TZ administrator, Cliff Nhokwara yesterday confirmed that they will host two futures events between May and June in Harare next year.

“We are waiting for dates from ITF for Davis Cup, once they confirm the dates we will then confirm the actual dates for the tournaments. Davis Cup is usually around that period and we will be happier if we can align with the Davis Cup,” said Nhokwara.

The tournaments will be sponsored by Twenty Third Century Systems who sponsored last year’s event and NetOne.
“NetOne have confirmed sponsorship and it’s certain next year we will be having two futures. There have been some enquiries by other potential sponsors who want to come on board so we might end up having three events.

“We are going to meet our own quarter of the tournament without partnering anyone because ITF requires that if you are hosting futures events you should host two or three tournaments. Definitely we will host two legs. Three tournaments will be an added advantage for the players and development of the sport,” said Nhokwara.

TZ will also be hosting the ITF South Central 18-and-Under tournament. Unlike the previous editions which ran over two weeks next year it will be over three weeks with one of the events being promoted to grade three from grade 4.

“We will have three weeks of the 18-and-Under between July and mid-August, usually it’s a grade 4 but we will have a grade three which is high in terms of points and kind of players participating,” said Nhokwara.

TZ will also stage various tournaments for the juniors with the first event of the year being the New Winners scheduled for early January in Harare. While others will be battling it out in the local tournament some of the junior players between the age of 12 and 16 will be competing in the African Junior Championships Zonal in Botswana from January 5 to 11.

The national association also has several courses lined up for the coaches and officials throughout the year.