Takanyi Garanganga

Born: Harare, Zimbabwe

Nickname: Garaz

Current World Ranking: 371

Highest World Ranking: 342

Takanyi Garanganga is currently Zimbabwe's top men's tennis player, and 2014 looks to be a breakthrough year for the young star. Now settled in on the ATP Worldtour, Takanyi has climbed 330 positions since the end of 2012, having won 4 Futures titles during this period.

The 23 year old was born in Harare, and began playing tennis at the age of 7. Driven at an early age by his dream to become the best in the world someday, Takanyi has never deterred from his path!

As a junior, Takanyi travelled the world represeting Zimbabwe and was quickly spotted as a player to watch and future star. By 2008, Takanyi had risen to #16 in the ITF World Junior Rankings, and became a regular feature at grand slam events.

Staying true to his dream, Takanyi decided to trun professional in 2009, as opposed to taking the college route he saw many of peers take. Facing every kind of financial constraint, his family has been there to support him every step of the way, understanding the enormous sacrifice it takes to see him get to the top!

Dubbed as "The Next Face of African Tennis", Takanyi carries a significant torch being one of only 8 Africans in the ATP top 400 and the only one of color. In a recent pre-season (2014) interview, Takanyi was quoted saying, "I want to put Zimbabwe back on the map again in tennis, and show the generation behind me that it can be done. Consistent hard work, sacrifice and self-belief will get you there!"