DUST kicks up around the baseline of the brand-new court at Marikopo Primary School on Wednesday afternoon, but for Benjamin and Courtney Lock, this isn’t just another stop on the professional circuit.
It’s a legacy project.
As the sun begins to set on two of the most storied careers in Zimbabwean tennis, the brothers are ensuring that while they might be reaching their twilight years, the sport’s future in the country is just beginning to dawn.
For years, the Lock brothers were the engine room of the national team, their synergy propelling Zimbabwe into the heights of the Davis Cup World Group II.
They carried the flag with a grit that defined an era.
However, with the national side recently slipping to the depths of Group IV, the need for a grassroots resurgence has never been more urgent.
Through the Lock Brothers Foundation, they are meeting that urgency head-on.
Their latest mission took them near the Dema growth point, where they unveiled a new clay court — soon to be upgraded to an all-weather surface — at Marikopo Primary.
It’s a far cry from the manicured lawns of the pro tour, but for the local community, it’s a Field of Dreams.
“Tennis does not only teach one how to hit the ball over the net, it teaches resilience focus respect and perseverance, these are life skills that children carry far beyond the court,” Benjamin told a captivated crowd of students.
“For young people in Zimbabwe opportunities like this can be truly life changing. A tennis court for us was a classroom for character and that is what we are hoping to achieve in these children.
“To the children here, this court belongs to you, use it to learn to compete to support one another and enjoy the game of tennis.”
The brothers aren’t just handing over a court and a photo opportunity; they are providing the entire ecosystem needed to succeed.
Courtney explained that the foundation has secured a full suite of gear, from rackets to shoes, and more importantly, elite mentorship.
“We have gathered equipment including rackets, tennis balls, nets and everything so that they can start now and introduce the kids to tennis,” Courtney said.
“We are utilising five coaches here who have all had Davis Cup exposure to scout for talent then coach Freeman Nyamunokora is going to be coming in regularly to check on the developments.”
As Zimbabwe looks to climb back up the Davis Cup rankings, the climb starts here — one swing at a time, in the heart of the community.
