Harare, December 29, 2010 - Zimbabwe will start their campaign in Group III of the Davis Cup on 18 April, according to the draw released by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) on Wednesday.

Zimbabwe are currently in the Euro/Africa Zone Group III which is the basement of the Davis Cup and five tiers away from the World Cup.

Zimbabwe were drawn against Algeria, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda and Zambia.

Zimbabwe has been competing in the Europe/Africa Zone of Group IV in 2010 and have been promoted to Group III next year. They last competed in the World Group in 2000.

Zimbabwe Davis Cup team was once a force to reckon with in the year 2000 when it competed in the World Group powered by the talents of the Black brothers Wayne and Byron and Kevin Ulyett.

The country had been dropping each year following the retirement of the Black brothers. Several upcoming  Davis Cup players such as Genius Chidzikwe, Takanyi Garan'anga, Mbonisi Ndimande and Mark Fynn had failed to make an impact.

The ITF said Zimbabwe will start their campaign in the round robin tournament with the best team set to promoted to Group II in 2012. The venue of the tournament has not be announced.