Stiff competition is on offer at the Manicaland Tennis Senior Open which starts tomorrow in Mutare.
The tournament ends on Sunday. A galaxy of the country’s tennis stars is expected to troop in the Eastern border city for a tournament which is also open to foreign-based players.
The tournament which is valued at $8 000, will see Zimbabweans players, who are now based in South Africa such as Innocent Mhere, Tendai Tapfuma and Ronzai Saurombe, crossing swords.
Veteran star Genius Chidzikwe, who made a surprise comeback to the country’s Davis Cup team recently, will have a fair challenge.
Others expected to grace the event are Martin Dzuwa, Takudzwa Muswere and Pauline Chawafambira, who is one of the favourites in the women’s category.
Director of the tournament, Freeman Nyamunokora of the Manicaland Tennis board, said he was expecting good competition from participants.
“Preparations are now at an advanced stage. I think we are almost finalising all the logistics. The entire tournament is worth at $8 000. I think by tomorrow (today) everything will be in place,” he said.
“We are expecting about 64 players at the tournament — from both men and women. I think competition is going to be stiff. Some of the country’s players, who are now based in South Africa, have started trooping into the country ahead of the tournament.”
