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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter

FOLLOWING some positive performances by local players at the just-ended Cranrid International Tennis Federation World Junior Tour, Tennis Zimbabwe manager Cliff Nhokwara says they are hopeful of the future.

The girls section saw the likes of Sasha Chimedza, Tadiwanashe Mauchi and Tanyaradzwa Midzi posting some encouraging performances during the three events that were held at Harare Sports Club in the past three weeks.

Zimbabwe this year competed in the Billie Jean King Cup (formerly Fed Cup) for the first time after a long break from the largest annual international team competition, in women’s tennis.

Nhokwara said with the junior players doing well in the Under-18 tournaments, it gives them a platform to build a strong team that can compete in the Billie Jean King Cup in the future.

“Firstly it obviously inspires other girls to continue fighting and do well and be able to represent Zimbabwe.

“We played the Billie Jean King Cup for the first time after a while. Whilst we did not win the group, we did fairly well in the few matches we played. So doing well at Under-18, shows the future is quite open for the girl child to continue shining.

“It means we are going to have a strong team probably in the next five to 10 years,” said Nhokwara.