Tennis: Takanyi’s Money Blues

Zimbabwe’s number one tennis player Takanyi Garanganga’s promising career is being chocked by financial constraints.
According to his camp, the 23-year- old, who is ranked number 292 on the ATP World Tour, requires at least US$20 000 a month to have a full-fledged backroom team.

However, due to limited resources the United States-based Garanganga, who won a gold medal at the 2011 All Africa Games, is having to compete without a coach and support staff.

“Imagine how hard it is to play without a coach, at times I am surprised at how he comes out with success under such conditions.

“He needs a team of experts to travel with, but it all costs money. Most of the professional tennis players have changed citizenship to secure sponsorship, but Takanyi has not done that, he has continued to carry the nation’s flag without support,” Brad Garanganga, the tennis ace’s father and spokesman, said.

Takanyi requires financial assistance for his coach to provide full-time assistance, strength and conditioning sessions three to four times a week, intermittent mentorship from world class athletes and coaches as well as airfare, accommodation, transportation and equipment at tournaments, added Garanganga senior.

Takanyi’s manager, Thabani Sithole, who is in the country to lobby for corporate and Government support, reckons Garanganga has the talent to break into the top 50.

“He is now like a low-hanging fruit and as soon as he gets the assistance to just cover his basic needs he will be able to make more than enough to take care of himself and the people around him,” Sithole said

“Takanyi has had a very good summer; he spent the last few months in Europe playing in a lot of tourneys.

“Two weeks ago he lost in the final round at the Queens tournament, which is the qualifying tournament for Wimbledon.

“Had he made it, he would probably have been the only player to be at the Grand Slam without a sponsor.

“He has managed to play at that highest level of tennis without a sponsor, and that says a lot about his talent,” Sithole said.

This year Garanganga has participated in the Maui Challenger Tour in Hawaii, reaching the quarter-finals, as well as in the Gaudalajara Challenge tour in Mexico.

The right-handed player this month focuses on the ATP BB&T tournament in Atlanta after which he will travel to Washington DC.

Fact file
Age: 23 (06.09.1990)
Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe
Residence: Atlanta, GA
Height: 6’1” (185 cm)
Weight: 175 lb (79 kg)
Plays: Right-handed Turned Pro:   2009
Coach: Brian De Villiers
ATP Ranking: 296
Next Tournaments: July 7-13 (ATP 250)
Hall of Fame: Tennis Championships, in Newport, Rhode Island, July 14-20 (Challenger) Levene Gouldin & Thompson Tennis Challenger, in Binghampton, New York, July 21-27 (ATP 250) BB&T Atlanta Open, in Atlanta, Georgia