adminNkosilathi Sibanda Sports Reporter
TENNIS players from Botswana and South Africa have expressed interest in coming back to Zimbabwe for more competitions after being impressed by the level of play in the host country.
South Africa and Botswana were the last teams standing in the tennis contest that lasted for five days at the Bulawayo Athletic Club.
The hosts had a hard time when facing the fancied South African top seeds of Caitlin Herb, Musawenkosi Mpondi, Francis Kellerman and Katie Poluta.
Following a clash for honours that ended on Saturday, players from both countries still had a grudge, with no side admitting being second best.
South Africans had to settle for silver though, in the final team events mixed doubles when Zimbabwe’s Ronzai Saurombe and Valeria Bhunu made an easier way past them.
Earlier, Zimbabweans had not seen glory under the South Africans’ watch. Herb, Kellerman, Poluta and Mpondi dominated the singles opening matches, in the process claiming gold.
The Batswana contingent of Phatsimo Ruele, Nthabiseng Mogopodi, Innocent Tidimane and Emmanuel Mabechu was however unlucky not to go home with the gold, only managing a slim escape for bronze as the tournament reached its end.
Participating in the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games was an experience that both Botswana and South Africa would love to relive.
South Africa’s top seed Herb said she wanted more play against Zimbabwe.
“Really, I think the Zimbabweans played well. Of course they were at home but I didn’t imagine them giving us a hard time. They’re good players. I want to come back here and play again, possibly in another tournament.
“It’s in times like these that as a player you feel like doing it all over. Zimbabwean tennis players know their stuff,” she said.
Herb had more play time against Zimbabwe’s Bhunu, outdoing her in the singles final but failing to get gold in Saturday’s mixed doubles encounter.
Botswana’s Ruele seemed to have been overwhelmed by the level of play she was exposed to. Together with her teammate and mixed doubles partner Mabechu, they vowed to be back in the country.
“I’m still young and I’ve more chances to do well. In general, these Games exposed me to what Zimbabwe tennis is like. I’ve never played against Zimbabwe and I’ll not hide it – I liked the environment and want to be back. Not that I undermine other countries but Zimbabwe, especially Valerie [Bhunu] gave me a hard time but also gave a few lessons on the game.
“Bulawayo is a beautiful city and the courts [at BAC] were good for the tournament. In Botswana we do have such facilities but as a player, one has to push themselves to the limit. For me that limit is to date Zimbabweans again,” said Ruele soon after receiving the bronze medal at the weekend.
Zimbabwe’s players on being told of their opponents’ wish didn’t hesitate to extend the invitation.
Bhunu, who is based in Cape Town, said she had played South Africans before and would love to host them again on home soil.
“I’ve played against the South Africans and meeting them again won’t be a scare. Actually it’s a building exercise. Maybe I can learn from my mistakes and play better.”
After admitting to a pleasant stay in Bulawayo, the South African team reportedly rushed to Australia where they were scheduled for a high profile tournament.
The AUSC Region 5 Youth Games were probably a test for bigger competitions yet to come.
Online Reporter