Takanyi Garanganga has been appointed Zimbabwe’s new Davis Cup non-playing captain, taking over from seasoned coach Freeman Nyamunokora.
The country’s former top-ranked tennis star, who reached an impressive career-high ATP singles world ranking of 288th in September 2014 will lead the team for the first time in the World Group II Play-off tie against Uruguay to be played at Harare Sports Club from February 3 and 4.
The team comprises includes Garanganga’s former teammates, the Lock brothers – Benjamin and Courtney as well as young gunsMehluli Sibanda and Benedict Badza.
Tennis Zimbabwe (TZ) also named a development squad consisting of Shane Tapera, Takura Muhwandagara, Ronan Mtisi and Thomu Thompson.
Garanganga is relishing the opportunity to give back to lead the Zimbabwe team in the prestigious competition.
“I would like to thank the TZ board and executive for allowing me to take the responsibility for the nation for the upcoming games starting this coming weekend against Uruguay. Many thanks to the nation also for the support they have been showing to the tennis family for the past years,” Garanganga said at a Press conference on Wednesday.
Number 67-ranked Zimbabwe will head into their tie against Uruguay as underdogs against Uruguay, who are in 42nd position on the Davis Cup rankings.
Uruguay dropped to the Group II Playoffs as after losing 3-2 loss at home against China in a World Group II first-round tie in Montevideo last August.
Zimbabwe will be banking on the experience of the Lock brothers Benjamin and Courtney, who have been doing well both on the professional circuit and in the Davis Cup.
The pair recently helped Zimbabwe secure promotion back to the Davis Cup World Group II Play-offs when beating Namibia 2-1 in a promotional play-off at the Africa Group III event in Algiers, Algeria in August last year.
The duo of Sibanda and Badza were also part of the team which was led by the then non-playing captain Nyamunokora.