The nine-team tournament to be played on a round-robin format has been slated for the weekend commencing April 23 in Tunis.Teams competing for promotion into the Euro-Africa Zone Group II for 2013 are Algeria, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Tunisia and Zimbabwe.
The top nation in each pool plays off against runner-up in the other pool, with two winning nations being promoted to Europe/Africa Zone Group II for 2013.
Selectors, headed by Tanyaradzwa Chinamo, are expected to meet this month to start preparations for the tournament.
Chidzikwe, who made his Davis Cup debut in 1996 and played his last ball in the competition in 2007 ironically in Tunisia, is hoping that his good performance in the NetOne Zim Open where he lost in the final to Takanyi Garanganga will make the selectors consider him.
“Coming out of retirement to play in the Davis Cup is something that I have been considering. However, I cannot jump on top of the mountain to claim a place in the team because of a good run in one tournament.
“If selected, I will not hesitate because I have the experience having competed in the competition for almost 11 years. I feel that I have something to offer either as a mentor to the younger generation or as a player,” said the 32-year-old ace.
Chidzikwe, however, admitted that it was not going to be easy to make the decision as he has been concentrating on coaching since his retirement.“It takes a lot to play Davis Cup tennis. It is a decision that I would have to be told earlier because I need to start preparing now. However, I am not campaigning to be included in the team. All I am saying is that I have the experience having played in the competition together with the Black brothers (Byron and Wayne),” he said.
Tennis Zimbabwe (TZ) administrator, Cliff Nhokwara said to get promotion to Group II is a top priority for this year.“We definitely want to qualify for the Euro/Africa Zone Group II and will do everything in our power to achieve that objective,” Nhokwara said.
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Last year, the Zimbabwean trio of Takanyi Garanganga, Mark Fynn and Benjy Lock finished third with Egypt and Madagascar being promoted to Group II.
Chidzikwe made his debut for Zimbabwe as a 17-year-old in 1996, in a dead rubber in which he lost 1-6, 6-7(1) to Finland’s Ville Liunko though the team led by the Black brothers Wayne and Byron won the tie 4-1.
He recorded his first win in the competition when he came from a set down to defeat Portugal’s Bernardo Mota 3- 6, 7-6(6), 7-5 in the 2002 Euro/Africa Zone Group II play-off.
Together with Gwinyai Tongoona, they became the first Zimbabweans of colour to win a live rubber when they beat Norway’s Andersen Jan-Frode and Boretti Stian 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in 2006 at Harare Sports Club.
