Hassim happy to wait for her chance to shine

While the national women’s tennis team were fighting relegation at the Fed Cup Euro-Africa Group 2 tournament in Luxembourg, and she hadn’t received a chance in their opening fixtures, 20-year-old prospect Imaan Hassim (below) was pleased to be gaining international experience on the sidelines this week.

Hassim was one of the newest members of the SA squad captained by Rene Plant, which was in a building phase after they won promotion from the Group 3 division last year.

With a six-member team anchored by Chanel Simmonds and Madrie le Roux, the younger members of the squad were unlikely to get much time on court this week.

Despite falling in 2-1 defeats to Luxembourg and Israel in their early group matches, and setting up a potential relegation play-off today in an attempt to retain their place in Group 2 of the global team competition, Hassim felt the players were gaining value from travelling with the team.

The national squad also featured Theresa van Zyl, who competed in group matches early this week, as well as Zani Barnard and dynamite rookie Sinazo Solani.

“I’m really pleased with the level of effort that was demonstrated by Tennis South Africa,” said Hassim, who competed for Youngstown State University on the US collegiate circuit.

“They have gone the extra distance to ensure we are prepared as best as possible.”

The Fed Cup Euro-Africa Group 2 tournament comes to a close today, with the losing teams in the two relegation clashes slipping to the bottom tier next year.