Zimbabwe may have been whitewashed 4 - 0 by Morocco in a Davis Cup World Group II Playoff at Harare Sports Club last weekend but the experience is one that will last for a lifetime for teenage star Tashinga Ronan Mtisi.
The 17-year-old player from Mutare was part of the team filling up the junior quota which Tennis Zimbabwe have always implemented in recent years.
But injuries first to the country's top player Benjamin Lock just before the tie and Ethan Sibanda during the match meant that the young player had to be thrown into the deep end.
Mtisi first partnered Courtney Lock in double rubber in which they were crushed 6 - 1 6 - 1 by Elliott Benchetrit and Younes Lalami Laaroussi in just 49 minutes.
The teenage prodigy also played the final rubber against highly rated junior tennis player from Morocco, Karim Bennani who recently took part in the junior Australian Open, and lost 6 - 4 6 - 3.
But despite the loss, Mtisi, a Mantas Tennis Academy product, was delighted to represent the country in such a prestigious event.
"It's my first time playing Davis Cup tennis. It was quite a big opportunity for me to be part of this at my age," he said after the tournament.
"In the first games I was a bit nervous. We played doubles with Courtney ( Lock) . He is a great doubles player and he was telling me what to do. I think we played well but I think the (Morocco) guys were too good for us.
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"And in the singles I started off a bit slow because I went 5 - 2 down and then I tried to come back. I was feeling more comfortable. I think I played well considering that it was my first.There was a big crowd and I was feeling nervous and I managed to play my best tennis . It didn't go my way but I am proud of myself.
"Growing up I didn't think that I would make it this far playing Davis Cup for my country. Tennis was just a sport which I started in school when I was in Grade 4, little did I know that I had talent which could take me this far. I really feel proud of myself that I managed to represent my country and I look forward to representing Zimbabwe again in future and in my individual career," Mtisi said.
Mtisi has just passed Ordinary Level exams and has enrolled for Advanced Level and his school St Dominic's High School.
Education is part of his plan to achieve his big dream in tennis.
"The big dream is to turn pro and play at the highest level but you know as someone who comes from Mutare my background doesn't really allow me to go pro because it's very expensive going on Tours each and every week.
"But plan B is going to college in the US and if I get opportunities I will try to get on the tour and play bigger tournaments," the former Mutare Junior School student said.
Mtisi is currently ranked number 478 on the International Tennis.
