Mtisi reflects on Davis Cup

Tinashe Kusema

Zimpapers Sports Hub

IF there is one important lesson to be learned from the country’s Davis Cup tie against Morocco at the Harare Sports Club last weekend, it is that Benjamin Lock is the heart and soul of Team Zimbabwe.

The 32-year-old was ruled out due to injury on the eve of the contest, and Zimbabwe never recovered as the North Africans emerged 4-0 victors. Lock cut a frustrated figure during the tie, often shuffling between the stands and bench, and sharing whatever tips or advice he had with some of the young guns brought in his stead.

One such youngster was Ronan Tashinga Mtisi.

“It was quite a big blow for us when Ben (Lock) withdrew. We were looking at him to lead and I think he would have made a huge difference if he had played,” said Mtisi.

“Since he couldn’t play, he decided to stay with us in camp, gave us a few tips and tried his hardest to motivate and inspire us.

“At the dinner table, I remember him asking me what I knew about the guy (Elliot Benchetrit) I was playing and whether or not I had watched his videotapes to identify strengths and weaknesses. He gave me some tips and advice on how to approach the game.”

Ben aside, one of the other key takeaways from the Morocco tie, and arguably the elephant in the room, happens to be the vicious cycle Tennis Zimbabwe appears to be stuck in.

From the early days of the Black family — Byron, Wayne and Cara — Takanyi Garanganga and now the Lock brothers, Ben and Courtney, there appears to be heavy reliance on individuals for the country’s Davis Cup success.

Tennis Zimbabwe president Walter Jera once jokingly referred to these as “private players”, referring to how they are not necessarily by-products of the association, but rather the blood, sweat and tears of their parents.

Mtisi represents a new class of young Turks who could breathe new life into the country’s ailing fortunes on the Davis Cup circuit.

Once again, Zimbabwe have been relegated to the World Group III, one they are expected to dominate later in the year and return for yet another play-off run.

Results aside, there were many positives to take away from last weekend’s whitewash defeat to Morocco. The duo of Mtisi and Ethan Sibanda finally got the opportunity to muddy the waters of Davis Cup tennis.

Mtisi, in particular, held his own as he put up a fight in his 4-6, 3-6 defeat to Karim Bennani of Morocco.

He also got the chance to partner Zimbabwe’s doubles specialist Courtney Lock, despite going down 6-1, 6-2 to the Moroccan duo of Benchetrit and Younes Laarousi.

In Mtisi, Tennis Zimbabwe have a player who represents everything needed for a Zimbabwe Davis Cup team.

“This was not my first run at Davis Cup selection, but my first time playing. I was in the developmental Davis Cup squad in 2023,” he said.

To get a clearer picture of Mtisi’s story, one will have to go back to where it all started.

Born on December 16, 2007, Mtisi first got into tennis during his primary education at Mutare Junior School.

“I started playing tennis when I was in Grade Four, back in 2017, and mostly due to the Mantas Academy,” said Mtisi.

“They came to our school as they had a programme in which they tried to spread the sport to schools in our province like in Chikanga, Chipinge and Rusape. The sport became compulsory and I kind of started enjoying it.”

As if by fate, Mtisi was staying at Mutare Girls High School with his grandmother, with the school being one of Mantas Academy’s bases. He would then make his way to the tennis courts and watch some of the more seasoned academy members train, even during weekends.

Mtisi then caught the tennis bug. Soon he was hooked. While school training was held twice a week, Mtisi extended his training schedule; he practised five to six days a week.

What appealed to him was the aesthetics of the sport — the shoes, racquets, tennis balls and, funny enough, the grunts and other sounds he heard some of the senior academy members make.

Mtisi conquered the junior local circuit.

In the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior circuit, he has a 74 percent win rate, with 20 wins and seven losses. He is ranked 478 in the world with the highest position of 451.

Mtisi is his own biggest critic and prefers to look on the bright side to Zimbabwe’s recent Davis Cup heartbreak.

“I think we did our best, left it all on the court and, sadly, we didn’t have our best player on the court,” he said.

“Looking back at it, there were a lot of lessons to draw from the encounter. Fitness is a major issue.  The Moroccans can really hit the ball and put a lot of pace into it. We need to get a lot of game time, competitive game time, and we should be alright.”

He is thankful for the opportunity and is already dreaming of the next game.

“Like I said, I was in the team that played Uruguay back in 2023,” said Mtisi.

“When I received the call that I was selected to play, I immediately called my coach and close family members and friends to share the news.

“Playing at the professional level (ATP) is something I am looking forward to one day, and will remain committed to playing for Zimbabwe in the Davis Cup.

“College is, however, first as it will give me something to fall back on and get some much-needed experience.”