Davis Cup team captain Martin Dzuwa said Zimbabwe tennis players‘under performance in international tournaments is exacerbated by lack of exposure.
By Tendai Chisiri
Speaking on the sidelines of the ITF 18 and under South Central Circuit Leg 1 at Harare Sports Club on Thursday, the captain said the Zimbabwe players are not bad but lack exposure.”Our players are not bad but they play few tournaments in our country juxtaposed to number of tournaments their opponents play .We can say we play 3 tournaments compared to 15 tournaments played by our opponents”, he said.
International Tennis Federation (ITF) 18 and under South Central Circuit is currently underway at Harare Sports Club and the 3 legs will take 3 weeks with one leg being played for a week. Leg 1 single final for both girls and boys will be played on Saturday whilst doubles final will be played on Friday.
Zimbabwe’s seeded player Mehluli Sibanda based in South Africa was knocked in the quarterfinals of the boys singles by Phillip Henning of South Africa 6-3, 6-3 whilst in the doubles he partnered Tristan Boyer of America and they crushed out 4-6,6-1 and 10-3 in super tie break .
The going also got tough in the girls’ singles as Kimberley Bhunu was knocked in the 2nd round and the girls’ number 1 player Beverly Matsiwe was beaten in the 1st round.
Martin Dzuwa whose Davis Cup team was beaten 3-2 in Georgia, America said the ITF tournament is tough and as a nation, more hours should be put to the game.”Our school system doesn’t allow them to practice constitently thereby hampering the players to perform well”, he said.”Pupils have different goals as some play as a hobby whilst others want to be professional players in future. If there are more tournaments like this, kids will be encouraged to turn professional”, he added.
He also lamented the turn out of students at tennis courts.”During our junior period, there were more kids playing and that encouraged competition. The numbers are not there to create a competitive atmosphere”, he said. He encouraged youngsters to plat tennis as it is a good sport in terms of its individuality as one has to make his/her decisions.”It’s open to everyone whether rich or poor “, he said.
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