Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
TENNIS Zimbabwe is confident the country will bounce back after being relegated to the Davis Cup Africa Group Three.
This comes after Zimbabwe’s 3-1 loss to Hong Kong in a World Group Two Play-off at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium at the weekend.
The team was a mixture of experience in the Lock brothers Benjamin and Courtney as well as future stars Benedict Badza and Tatenda Mutetwa.
Despite the loss, non-playing captain Takanyi Garanganga is looking forward to the future with hope.
“If you look at the team we are looking at the future and yes we could have done better but we have to look at the brighter picture, we have put in youngsters that we hope they will learn and take over from the Lock brothers and that is key. The experience they are gaining on tour is very important for the future.”
Tennis Zimbabwe has a five-year plan to get the team back to World Group One.
“We are not worried about the result. Yes, we would have loved to win but at the same time we have to be realistic that’s why we put up that five-year plan and we are going to learn from these defeats and see how we can prepare the team better next time but it’s a process and there are going to be setbacks at times,” said Tennis Zimbabwe president, Walter Jera.
The Lock brothers lost their singles matches before teaming up on Sunday in a doubles match where they lost to the Hong Kong pair of Coleman Wong and Chun Hun Wong 6-4, 6-0.
Benedict Badza, however, found a face-saver after winning his dead rubber against Kwok Shun Dasson 7-6, 6-4, 10-6.
Zimbabwe have to win their next encounter in the Africa Group III to return to the World Group II Play-offs.
