The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
Takanyi Garanganga has no words to describe how grateful he is to his father, Brad, for the sacrifices he has made in his tennis career.
The 28-year-old, who will today meet Canada’s Martin Beran in the ITF World Tour M15 singles final at Harare Sports Club, called his dad his biggest fan.
“From day one till now he has still been helping out,” Garanganga told The Sunday Mail after his 6-4 6-3 semi-final win over Prajwal Dev of India yesterday.
“I can’t put into words how grateful I am to him.
“The best thing is he lets me discover things for myself; I have been going out there meeting coaches, playing and he still funds those programmes.
“He is not a person always on your neck…I am pretty fortunate to have that.“I could have never I asked to anyone for that type of support,” said Garanganga.
The road has been challenging for the former African Junior Champion with his father, Brad, funding the bulk of Takanyi’s expenses.
“I am a father that says it all really,” said Takanyi’s father.
“When you have kids you want to raise them to be as best as they can be.
“So obviously you give support to the extent possible.” For someone as talented as Takanyi who has reached a career best singles ranking of 288 and played a huge role in Zimbabwe’s return to the Davis Cup Euro/Africa Group II, his father Brad feel the nation hasn’t been supportive.
“Any father would sacrifice for his children it’s a given really, but I think Zimbabwe should have come to the party,” said Brad.
“Zimbabwe could do more…Takanyi from where I see it, what he has tried to achieve under extremely constrained resource base he has been doing this for the Zimbabwean flag.
“In other countries every player at that level has had support from the nation through private and public partnerships.
“When he plays outside, the flag of Zimbabwe is there against his name so he is marketing his country,” he said.
Other countries such as Australia and England have Payer Support Programs which cater for the players needs from a certain age.
Professional and financial support is provided to high performing tennis players.
The highest level of support available is allocated to players achieving and competing at the very highest level internationally.
