The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
It is now exactly 10 years since Zimbabwe tennis player Takanyi Garanganga turned pro.
But, that statistic is insignificant to him. It is, therefore, not surprising that he does not have any favourite memory from that decade. This is quite interesting for someone who in 2011 claimed gold at the African Games (then All-Africa Games) in Maputo. He also inspired Zimbabwe to regain promotion in the Davis Cup Europe/Africa Group II in Egypt in 2015.
All this is of little significance to the 29-year-old. “You could say tennis has been my guru. I would describe it as constant learning and self-discovery.
“I do not have a favourite memory from the decade,” Garanganga said.
Martin Dzuwa, Garanganga’s close buddy and former Davis Cup captain, understands why Takanyi feels this way.
“It’s tough being a pro,” Dzuwa said.
“He has worked hard and continues to do so, but he feels that he can achieve more for himself and his country, hence no special memories. He is looking at the bigger picture,” said Dzuwa.
The former Davis Cup captain reckons that another breakthrough is possible for Garanganga, a former Africa Junior Champion. “He needs a few big wins. The fact that he is still around and competing is great. I have seen people quitting during my time,” said Dzuwa.
To date, Garanganga’s highest singles ranking is 288, achieved in September 2014. A week after playing the M15 Pretoria, he is currently playing the M25+ H Lagos tournament in Nigeria.
“I will likely play in Maputo early November,” said Garanganga (currently ranked 590). The Mbare-born player opened up about his life on tour.
While the Swiss great, Roger Federer, called the touring life ‘a traveling circus’, and that he stills enjoys the check-ins at airports, it is all about interaction for Garanganga. “I get to see the world and interact with different people, I learn about myself through interaction. As I go to different parts of the world, l see things with a different perspective.”
“During my downtime I read, listen to audiobooks, watch philosophy lectures and movies.
“Every now and then, depending on where I am in the world, I visit tourism sites or try out new restaurants, but usually I just rest at home or in my hotel room,” he said. “Life on tour has got two phases. You have training and tournament weeks.
“During the training week, even these sometimes vary from country to country, depending on their facilities, that is the recovery facilities and gyms. Recovery facilities are meant for cryotherapy, massages, acupuncture and cupping, a Chinese technique for clearing bad blood in the system,” Garanganga said.
