The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
YOUNG tennis ace, Tanaka Chabata dreams of one day representing his country in the Davies Cup and has set his sights on being part of the team in two years’ time.
Sixteen-year-old Chabata’s desire to excel in the sport is so strong that he decided to “quit” school and pursue the sport on a full time basis.
Rather than plan his tennis around his school schedule, Chabata decided to leave formal schooling so that he can freely pursue tennis without disrupting his Advanced Level studies.
With advice from his parents, the Tarryn-Leigh De Souza Memorial champion decided that home schooling would give him a flexible option that would allow him the opportunity to travel at any time without falling behind in his studies.
Chabata completed his Ordinary Level studies at Falcon College last year and although he had the option of going back he realised that if he was to start earning points on the ITF junior circuit he would have to attend tournaments whose dates could clash with his school schedule.
“After completing my O-level, it was my wish to play tennis at a high level and start gaining points in the international junior circuit and to achieve this, I realised I had to attend several tournaments some of which would be played when I would be attending school and so after engaging my parents on my next move, they advised me to pursue home schooling.
“For Advanced Level, I am studying Maths, Physics and Computer Science and I am hoping to pursue a degree in computer science at university and have a career in information technology,” he said.
Chabata, who last year won the Zimbabwe Closed tournament, has underlined his dominance in the sport after winning the three tournaments that have been held in Bulawayo so far, NM Sports, Bulawayo Open and Tarryn-Leigh De Souza.
He started playing the sport at age seven after accompanying his cousin, Tinashe Hwata to tennis practice and his uncle urged him to join.
The former Masiyephambili Junior School started taking up tennis seriously at the age of nine when his parents realised he was talented in the sport and engaged coach, Petros Ndlovu to put him under his wing in 2007.
He grew steadily under Ndlovu showing a lot of promise in the courts and outshining his peers.
Chabata’s exploits meant he has been regularly selected for the country’s junior teams making it into the Under-12, Under-14 and Under 16 teams.
He defended the De Souza Memorial trophy almost a fortnight ago as he put a gritty performance, making a comeback from a set down to see off Harare’s Andrew Kunaka 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 in the under 18 boys final.
The Tarryn-Leigh De Souza Memorial is an annual points tournament held in honour of the late De Souza. This year it was graced by more than 100 players from all over the country.
Ndlovu said lack of funding is hampering Chabata’s participation in the Confederation of African Tennis Africa Junior Circuit this year.
He said while he has won in the tournaments he has featured in this year the level of competition is not be the same with opposition he might face in continental tourneys.
“It is important that he plays in such tournaments because they are competitive and they can give us an idea on the areas that we need to work on for him to improve. Unlike the local competitions, the AJC provide tough opposition making each match a final. Not only do you get the best players in Africa but European players also make appearances as well,” said Ndlovu.
The tennis coach said Chabata has improved over the years and there is great hope he can make it big on the international scene.
Chabata, who turns 17 next month, said he hopes to burst into the ITF top 300 players in five years time but is dreaming of landing a tennis scholarship abroad.
“Getting a tennis scholarship will enable me to improve my game while I make forays into the international scene,” he said, adding when he is not in the courts, he would be immersed in his studies or playing his other passion football and his favourite teams are Highlanders, Manchester United and Real Madrid.
