Gwinyai Tongoona: Breaking Barriers and Building...

Gwinyai Tongoona: Breaking Barriers and Building Champions in Tennis

Patience Muchemwa

Senior Reporter

Gwinyai Tongoona’s tennis career is a story of resilience, achievements, and an enduring passion for the sport. As the first black Davis Cup player for Zimbabwe, he not only etched his name in the annals of Zimbabwean tennis but also became a symbol of inspiration for future generations.

“I started playing when I was 11 at the University of Zimbabwe courts, where my father and his colleagues played,” recalls Tongoona. “It was very competitive back then, and local tournaments were tough for everyone.” That competitive edge propelled him through the junior ranks, eventually earning him opportunities to train at a tennis academy and pursue higher education in the United States.

At just 16, Tongoona made history by joining the Zimbabwe Davis Cup team. “We all wanted to make the provincial and national teams, and Davis Cup was the top goal,” he says. “I didn’t realise at the time what it meant to be the first black player on the team, but it really boosted my confidence—not just on the court but in life as well.”

Tongoona’s professional career saw him achieve a highest-singles ranking of 670 and doubles ranking of 560 in the world. Among his proudest moments is winning a live rubber alongside Genius Chidzikwe in a doubles match against Norway during a home tie in Harare. “It was amazing to win in front of the home crowd and celebrate that victory with them. It’s a memory I’ll always treasure,” he reflects.

After retiring as a player in 2007, Tongoona seamlessly transitioned into coaching, a role that allowed him to combine his experience with his passion for developing talent. He began coaching in the United States, where he absorbed valuable lessons. “There’s a lot of knowledge over there, and I picked up things that I still apply to my coaching today,” he notes.

In South Africa, Tongoona worked at the ITF Center, coaching top junior players from across the continent. Many of these players climbed into the world’s top 100 junior rankings, with some even breaking into the top 20. “I got to appreciate how much work and commitment goes into achieving such high goals,” he says.

Returning to Zimbabwe, Tongoona turned his attention to nurturing the country’s young players. “We have so much talent here, and it’s important to guide these players to the top,” he explains. His coaching philosophy emphasises humility, respect, and relentless hard work.

“My advice to upcoming players is simple: work hard at all times, stay humble, and know that anything is possible.”

Tongoona also stresses the mental aspect of the sport. “Tennis is very mental. Being well-prepared before events can take some of the pressure off,” he explains. “Focus on what you can control and perform well—results will come if you’re good enough.”

As a coach, his proudest moments come from seeing his players succeed, both on and off the court.

“A lot of juniors I coach have earned scholarships to the USA. It makes me proud to see them excel and graduate from university,” he shares.

Off the court, Tongoona finds balance in his spiritual life, having recently completed his first year at Charis Bible School.

“My relationship with God has improved, and the results show in my life today,” he says. He also credits his success to his family’s unwavering support. “My wife, children, parents, and siblings have been incredibly supportive, and I wouldn’t have been able to manage without them.”

Gwinyai Tongoona’s journey is a testament to breaking barriers, achieving milestones, and giving back.

Through his coaching, he continues to shape the future of Zimbabwean tennis while inspiring the next generation to dream big and work tirelessly toward their goals. “Challenges will always be there,” he says, “but they can be overcome.”