Tennis Zimbabwe on Fed Cup

TENNIS Zimbabwe president Regis Bhunu has said they are considering to return to the Fed Cup as they believe there are up-and-coming players with the potential to compete at that level.

The Fed Cup is the premier international team competition in women’s tennis and Zimbabwe has not competed since 2008.

Bhunu said they are considering participation in the event next year and are working on securing sponsorship to ensure Zimbabwe’s participation becomes a reality.

“It’s still work in progress. We are contemplating entering the event because we believe now we have the strength to play at the Fed Cup. But we still need to make sure we get a sponsor.

“If we find someone to take it we are ready to go because in terms of capability of playing at that level we have it.

“We wanted to enter next year but we are still trying to see if we can get takers. But we will try to push. The worst scenario is if we can’t enter next year we will enter the following year. We need around $15 000,” said Bhunu.

The national association has over the past few years been on a rebuilding path which saw the return of the ITF Futures events in 2012.

And the futures tournaments have become a regular feature on the local tennis calendar since then. Zimbabwe had last hosted the events in 2005.

Last year Zimbabwe also hosted two Davis Cup ties after their promotion into the Europe/Africa Group II in 2014.

However, they were this year relegated to the Africa Zone Group III when they lost to Finland and Georgia.

Bhunu said while they want to create more competition for the girls they also believe the players have what it takes to compete at such level.

“We need to be active more and second our girls are becoming strong to compete at that level. Valeria (Bhunu) has been rising in her own way.

“We also have Nicole Dzenga and we believe it would be easy for us to get into the Euro-Group.

“Our participation in the Fed Cup increases the hype for tennis and tennis development increases. It increases the attention to tennis news and increases our games and the advantage is the fan base increases.

“Even for the younger girls there will be more competition because of the Fed Cup, they have something to play for. Like what is happening with the boys,” said Bhunu.