Twenty-year-old Junior Hakizumwami has been named in Rwanda's four-man squad for the 2026 Davis Cup, which will likely be held in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, from July 22 to 25.
The best-handed tennis prospect just lately returned to Kigali after finishing his research in France, the place he was on a tennis scholarship on the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy.
Hakizumwami rejoins the nationwide crew after lacking final yr's event in Botswana. He had initially been chosen alongside Claude Ishimwe, Etienne Niyigena and David Manzi Rwamucyo however was pressured to withdraw on the final minute as a result of his visa to return to France was near expiring.
His inclusion marks a return to the nationwide crew after a two-year absence, a possibility he says means every little thing to him.
“When it didn't work out final yr, I felt disenchanted as a result of I took it personally after every little thing my nation has carried out for me. Seeing this chance to come back again, I really feel like God has answered my prayers. I'm going to provide every little thing I’ve to assist us obtain victory,” Hakizumwami mentioned.
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Within the earlier version, Rwanda narrowly missed promotion to Africa Group III after dropping within the ultimate.
Nationwide crew captain Dieudonné Habiyambere believes Hakizumwami's return is a significant enhance as Rwanda targets promotion this yr.
“I selected to maintain the core of the squad that felt the ache of dropping within the ultimate. I consider of their expertise, and our ambition now’s to win each match on our solution to lifting the trophy,” Habiyambere mentioned.
The 2026 Davis Cup Group V will characteristic 14 nations: Cameroon, Ethiopia, Gabon, Libya, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and hosts Congo Brazzaville.
Rwanda's delegation is scheduled to depart for Brazzaville on Sunday, July 19. Winner of the event will likely be promoted to Group IV.
Rwanda squad: Etienne Niyigena, Claude Ishimwe, Junior Hakizumwami and David Manzi Rwamucyo.
