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Claire Kudzai Machisa aged 11 is already showing signs of turning into a tennis ace with the potential of making a lasting impression and huge upsets on the international court.
“I started learning how to hit tennis balls when I was five years old. I was introduced to the game of tennis by my dad who used to travel with me wherever my sister Karen played during tournaments.
“I loved travelling and seeing my sister playing tennis and receiving awards.”
It was this kind of exposure to tennis activities that drove me to fall in love with tennis more than other sports.
This was my father’s bait since he loved me together with the sport of tennis which he encouraged me to play as a profession.
He wanted to follow Mr Williams, the famous tennis father of Venus and Serena’s footprints,” she says.
But who exactly is this girl who is causing such a big stir on the circuit?
Born Claire Kudzai Machisa in Harare in 2004, she enrolled at Old Hararians Sports Tennis Academy under the watchful eye of coach Terrence Mazungunyire.
She was also coached by former Davis Cup player Gwinyai Chingoka.
She scooped her first medals in 2013 when she won the New Winners under 10 medal, the Zimbabwe Closed Under 10 as well as the Select Health Care Junior Tennis Championship, among others.
In 2014, Claire was offered a half scholarship by BTA Academy and coached by Nathan Hook at Mt Pleasant Sports Club.
During the same year, she was also co-coached by Davies Cup non-playing captain Martin Dzuwa and Malcom Mutungamiri.
She grew from strength to strength and was awarded by winning most of the local tournaments in the 12 and under category.
Her phenomenal exploits caught the eyes of National Selectors who called her for Zimbabwe’s under 12 trials when she was only 10 years.
Claire also played and won the trials to represent Zimbabwe in Botswana for the AJC Zonal 2015 competitions.
And like a juggernaut, the young player continued to steam ahead leading to her call-up in April 2015 to represent Zimbabwe in the 14 and 12 ITF/CAT tournaments played in Botswana where she raised the Zimbabwean flag high and brought home two silver medals and one bronze. She is currently enrolled at Alexandra Primary School, in Harare, where she is doing Grade Six.
“My ambitions are to play in the Zimbabwean Fed Cup and also play on Wimbledon tennis courts where great players like Serena, Sharapova and many have passed through.
“I also admire Serena Williams and her strokes are just out of this world.
“On the tennis court, one needs a cool temperament, tremendous ball sense, reflexes, speed, hand-eye co-ordination, power, timing and peak physical fitness.
“Off the court, the player and support team need skills in planning, execution, travel, an ability to raise funds when needed, and several other talents,” she said.
Online Reporter