Zim Tennis’s new rising star

Written by Farayi Machamire,

HARARE - Not since the Black brothers, Byron and Wayne, has a young tennis player generated so much excitement. Rising tennis star, Innocent Mhere has been a house on fire on the local scene, sweeping everything that has been on offer this year. The Under-18 national top seed successfully defended the Under-18 Manicaland Junior Tennis Open for the second time on the trot. The gifted tennis player went on to win the Mashonaland Junior Open, the New Winners Junior tournament, the Mantas Junior Open, the Zimbabwe Junior Closed tourney and the Cee Cees Graphtec junior tennis tournament. His harvest of accolades left a trail of destruction and left the country’s tennis enthusiasts stirred with hope of a star in the making. Mhere has virtually pushed all the other young tennis players into the shade with his explosive run in this year’s tennis tournaments. He reckons his performance at the Zimbabwe Open in December last year was his most memorable tennis tournament so far in his promising career. Mhere wrestled a win against veteran Martin Dzuwa 3-6, 6-3 and 6-4 to enter the quarter-final stage of Zimbabwe’s flagship tournament. His fairy tale run was however, checked by Tinashe Chikanda who knocked the young lad out of the tourney at the semi-final stage. “I really look up to Martin and to be able to beat him was memorable,” Mhere said. The promising tennis player believes his good technique and composure have given him an edge over his age-mates and has helped him find the drive to compete against more senior counterparts. Mhere has currently set his sights on excelling in the upcoming Zimbabwe Open tournament that will kick off this week in Harare where he hopes to get into the final. “I am hoping to do well in the Zim Open,” said Mhere who started playing tennis when he was still in Grade Four at Chancellor Primary School in Mutare. “I know it won’t be easy because the competition will be stiff but I know I will cause one or two upsets.” Mantas Tennis Academy head coach Freeman Nyamunokora, who has coached Mhere since he was a 10-year-old, acknowledged his talent but was quick to point out that the aspirant tennis star might suffer a still birth if he is not funded. “There is potential in Innocent if sponsorship comes his way,” Nyamunokora said. “He needs more exposure through playing more tournaments not only local but also international. Through playing in the ITF futures series he will gain international ranking. “But everything boils down to sponsorship. He has zeal and talent. I have no doubt he is headed places.” Mhere recently completed his Advanced levels and is likely to take the route of a United States University scholarship, a gateway that has been used by many promising local tennis players before him. “I’m still to confirm with George Washington University but we are trying a lot of options hopefully something will come up.” One can only hope, Mhere does not fall into the wrong hands but continues to grow to realise his full potential and maybe one day join the likes of Takanyi Garanganga in shouldering the hopes of the nation and bringing back Zimbabwe tennis’ glory days.