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Ellina Mhlanga
Senior Sports Reporter
TENNIS Zimbabwe president Walter Jera says they will do their best to ensure the Davis Cup team is well prepared for their tie against Hong Kong in the World Group II Play-offs.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced the draws for the 2024 Davis Cup World Group I and World Group II Play-offs on Wednesday following the draw, which took place in London.
Zimbabwe are up against Hong Kong and they will be playing away from home.
The ties are scheduled to take place on either February 2 to 3 or February 3 to 4, 2024.
Zimbabwe are ranked 73 and their opponents are placed 54.
“In tennis you should never underestimate your opponent that’s the thumb rule, never underestimate your opponent and added to that Hong Kong is playing at home.
“Every time that a team is playing at home, there is what is called the home advantage in all sport. So they obviously are a force to reckon with, with those two advantages that they are playing at home and you don’t underestimate your opponents because you then develop yourself into a complacent zone.
“So, we must do all we can to be at our most top notch ourselves,” said Jera.
Zimbabwe were promoted back into the World Group II Play-offs after coming tops in Pool B at the Africa Group III held in South Africa last month that saw three countries being promoted.
The team was made up of captain Takanyi Garanganga, the country’s top player Benjamin Lock, Liberty Nzula and upcoming players Benedict Badza and Takura Mhwandagara.
They were promoted together with South Africa who were tops in Pool A and the overall winners of the event.
Togo also earned their place in the Group II Play-off when beating Benin in the promotional play-off.
Winning nations from the World Group I Play-offs will compete in World Group I ties in September 2024, alongside the 12 losing nations from the 2024 Qualifiers, due to also take place in February.
Losing nations from the World Group I Play-offs and winning nations from the World Group II Play-offs will compete in World Group II ties in September 2024.
Losing nations from World Group II Play-offs will compete in Regional Group III events later in 2024.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter