Lock eyes top four finish in Morocco

Tennis
PROMISING tennis player Courtney Lock has targeted a top-four finish at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Under-18 African Junior Championships.

PROMISING tennis player Courtney Lock has targeted a top-four finish at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Under-18 African Junior Championships to be played in Morocco. ALBERT MARUFU sports reporter

Lock, together with Alwyn Mushonga, Luca Picci, Tadiwa Chinamo and Ngoni Makambwa will represent Zimbabwe in the boys’ category while Nicole Dzenga, Zarha Finnigan, Latifah Yasini and Karen Muswere will contest in the women’s category in the tournament running from February 17 to 21.

The player who has been training at the ITF Centre in Morocco and participated at the ITF Juniors Tennis Club Hammam-Sousse in Tunisia, said he was geared for the tournament.

“I am targeting a finish in the top-four and upwards. I think we have a good chance in Morocco. I hope the other guys have also been preparing well,” said Lock who recently got a tennis scholarship to study at University of Louisville. In Tunisia, Lock lost in the qualifying round singles completion, but later teamed up with Burundi national Iradukunda Guy Orly to reach the semi-finals of the doubles competition. Meanwhile, Tennis Zimbabwe (TZ) have appointed veteran coach Lazarus Manjoro travelling coach for the players.

“Manjoro will coach the players in Morocco. We believe he has the experience to guide the youngsters,” Bhunu said.

He added that most of the players were in various countries participating in tournaments as part of their warm-up games ahead of the tournament.

“Some of the players are in East Africa where they are taking part in tournaments while Lock is in Morocco. We hope that they will do well at the tournament,” he said.

Bhunu also revealed that TZ was still looking for the $15 000 needed to make the trip.

“We are still looking for financial support from the corporate world. We have the talent in the country and all they need is financial support,” he said.