19th February, 2013
One of Nigeria’s top tennis stars, Sanni Adamu, told DAMILARE OKUNOLA how a typical Nigerian player finds it hard to survive in the game.
Not much has been heard from you after the Governor’s Cup, what have you been up to?
That’s the problem we’ve been facing as local players in this country. Tournaments are hard to come by in this part of the world yet people expect us to perform at the highest level. I’ve been around but there hasn’t been anything to do in tennis and right now, I’m even match rusty.
This must have accounted for your poor performance at last year’s Governor’s Cup?
Let me tell you, I had only a week training prior to the Governor’s Cup. Things are really bad in this country as far as tennis is concerned. I only hope we could have regular tournaments for us in the country.
How did you start playing tennis?
I used to be a ball boy at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club and was always watching Jonathan Igbinovia playing. His elder brother, Sunday actually took me to the club and that was how I fell in love with the sport. Since then, there has been no going back.
Have you faced any challenge since then?
There were many challenges. No tournaments, no sponsor, we’re always left to work independently. The Nigeria Tennis Federation should come to our aid. We’ve been at home since last year we played Governor’s Cup. It is an irony of life for Nigerians to expect us to match up to those foreign players in the annual Governor’s Cup.
Can you tell us some tournaments that you had played in the past?
I’ve lost count of them. In the juniors’ category, I played so many championships such as Chevron, NNPC, Unipetrol, African Junior Championship and others. As a matter of fact, I started representing Nigeria at the age of 13 in Tunisia during an U-14 tourney. In the senior category, I played in the Governor’s Cup among others.
Which of these tournaments will you describe as your favourite?
I would say defeating Sunday Emmanuel in the finals of the Chevron Masters few years ago. I could remember that I lost the first set and I was losing the second set, 5-1, but I made a historical come back to win the championship. The memories of that championship still linger in my mind.
What’s your current ranking in the country?
I’m currently the country’s number six player and among the top 1,300 on the ATP rankings.
How was your childhood like?
It was good, you know what it feels like to have been born and bred on the Lagos Island, though I’m from Borno State.
Did you get your parent’s support?
Though they gave me their blessing, financially, I’ve been the one taking care of myself in term of sponsorship since I was 13 and it has not been easy over the years.
How about your plans for education?
I really want to go back to the school, but under the prevailing circumstances, it would be very hard for me. I’ll work really work hard to further my education because it’s very important to me.
Do you have any future ambition in this game?
Yes. I want to become Nigeria’s greatest tennis coach ever and I’m sure with hardwork, I can achieve that. To achieve this ambition, I plan to go for some coaching courses in the future.
Who are your role model in the game?
I like Roger Federer, but Sule Ladipo remains my Nigerian all-time great.
Do you have any girlfriend?
Of course, I have a girlfriend.
What did you buy for her during St. Val’s Day?
I bought her a wrist watch on that day.
Has she ever discouraged you from playing tennis?
Not at all, I get all the necessary support from her.