Tennis Zimbabwe (TZ) are hoping to bring back the glory days as the men’s Davis Cup team gear up for the Africa Group III tournament scheduled for July 15 to 20 in Abuja, Nigeria.
The team consists of the seasoned Lock brothers — Courtney and Benjamin — Lyle Zaloumis and non-playing captain Takanyi Garanganga.
Zaloumis is the only new face in this team after he replaced Benedict Badza who was part of the team in the previous edition.
Zimbabwe will face Benin, Namibia, Ghana, Cote D'Ivoire and the hosts Nigeria.
TZ president Walter Jera highlighted that competing in such events is in line with the association's vision to rebuild a world class tennis nation.
“As a nation we are in the process of rebuilding our performance to once again get back to the glorious years when the dorminant European and American feared being drawn against Zimabwe. The pursuit to make Zimbabwe ‘a world-class tennis nation’ continues to be our focus as we continue to be part of different competitions at all levels from junior to senior teams,” Jera said.
He also thanked Econet Zimbabwe, the tour’s platinum sponsor, as well as the government for funding the team's flight tickets to Nigeria from their different bases.
TZ general manager Kupakwashe Mukurumbira expressed confidence in the team being successful.
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“We are confident that the team we are sending will produce positive results and get a promotion again,” he said.
Most of our players particularly the senior ones have been on tours since February and have been exposed to toughest competitions since then up to now ... we are pretty much excited that the players are in a perfect shape for this particular tie.”
Benjamin has won six doubles this year- M25 Ajaccio in France in July, Blois Challenger in France in June, M25 Addis Ababa in Ethiopia in May, M15 Addis Ababa in Ethiopia in May, M25 Mosquera in Colombia in April and the Burnie 2 Challenger, Australia in February.
He also won a singles title after clinching the M25 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in May as well as a silver medal at the African Games in February.
Four of the doubles titles were won together with his brother Courtney.
Zaloumis transitioning from junior to professional level and was part of the Africa Union Sports Council Region 5 team in Malawi earlier this year.
Based on current rankings, Zimbabwe is the pool's favourite to get promotion as they are ranked 72nd whilst Benin is on 83rd position, Namibia 92, Ghana 89, Cote D'Ivoire 79 and the hosts on Nigeria 92.
