Liberty Nzula: A Life Shaped by Tennis and a Legac...

Liberty Nzula: A Life Shaped by Tennis and a Legacy in Progress

Patience Muchemwa, Senior Reporter

Liberty Nzula, a distinguished tennis coach, began his journey in the sport at the age of six, wielding a racket under the watchful eye of his father, who was also a tennis player. However, his serious engagement with the game started three years later.

Reflecting on his early days, Nzula candidly acknowledges the challenges he faced: "The challenges were resources—shoes, rackets, etc. But I was fortunate to have the drive to persevere through those obstacles."

As one of the few black players in a predominantly white-dominated sport at the time, Nzula drew inspiration from trailblazers like Genius Chidzikwe, Martin Dzuwa, and Gwinyai Tongoona.

"Despite that, it’s always an honour to represent your country at the highest level of your trade," he said. His time as a player instilled a strong sense of respect that Nzula continues to uphold and teach.

"You do encounter some big egos when you play at this level, but the main thing for me in these encounters was RESPECT."

Nzula’s tennis journey was not just about mastering the game but also about learning invaluable life lessons.

"Tennis teaches you patience, tolerance, resilience, and discipline. These lessons mould one into a valuable asset in any field they choose to follow. That’s why I recommend tennis to every child," he shared.

As a coach, Nzula emphasizes the psychological and technical development of his players, understanding the delicate balance required to nurture talent.

"Development has many stages, so I am very careful about when and how to introduce the next phase. Timing is crucial for me, so as not to lose the player mentally and socially," he explained. For him, mastering the mental aspect of tennis is paramount:

"No matter how talented you are, if you cannot manage the mental aspect, you will just be an average player. You have to get over failures quickly and focus on the next point."

One of Nzula’s proudest moments was helping Zimbabwe’s Davis Cup team earn promotion to the Euro Africa Group 2 after a hard-fought final against South Africa.

"Finishing second out of eight big tennis-playing nations was a good show for us," he said. These achievements reflect his dedication to not only excelling individually but also elevating the sport nationally.

Now, as the founder of Highlands Tennis with Liberty, a tennis academy, and Liberty Courts Construction, Nzula continues to pour his passion into the sport. His academy focuses on nurturing young talent, while his construction business specializes in building and refurbishing sports courts.

"At my age, I’ve slowed down on tournaments and focus more on my two businesses. But I remain motivated, especially knowing I’m working on producing a player who will exceed my achievements," Nzula shared.

To aspiring players, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, Nzula offers sage advice:

"It needs maximum dedication—mentally, physically, and, very importantly, financially! If you are exceptional, someone will notice you and take you to the next level. That’s what happened to me with the support of a special couple, the late Mr. Tom Martin and his wife Ann."

Beyond tennis, Nzula enjoys traveling with his family, watching and playing soccer, and reflecting on the journey that tennis has afforded him.

"It has been a journey indeed. Tennis is all I have done with so much love. It’s shaped who I am today and continues to inspire me every day."

With a deep commitment to the sport and a vision for its future, Liberty Nzula’s legacy in tennis is one of resilience, respect, and an unwavering love for the game.