Legendary Nigerian tennis player turned coach, Abdulmumin Babalola, has revealed what he told budding tennis sensation, Seun Ogunshakin, during one of his matches at the recently-concluded African Junior Tennis Championship (AJC) qualifiers in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Nigeria Tennis Live had reported that a pep talk by the Davis Cup captain revived the youngster’s spirit on the court and he went on to win the match from a possible losing position.
Our correspondent has now gathered from the former Nigerian number one superstar, what transpired during the match and what he told the 10-year-old Ekiti-born tennis youngster.
He said: “Seun is a left handed player who loves to watch me whenever I am on the court. So I said to him ‘do you know the way I play?’ and he said yes, then I asked him to tell me.
SUPER COACH: Abdulmumin Babalola’s pep talk with Seun Ogunshakin during the AJC Qualifier in Cotonou, Benin Republic, changed the game for the the Nigerian youngster. Nigeria emerged as the third best team.
“And the youngster said I always fight for all the points… then I asked him to do the same, and it worked.”
Babalola also relished the opportunity to work with youngsters, especially since he’s also a player himself and knows what they may be going through.
Asked to share his experience after his first ever outing with the kids, the man fondly referred to as Monaco, said: “I love being around tennis kids because they are funny and you need to play along with them.
“At the same time, however, you have to let them understand the purpose of the outing.”
The Ibadan-based tennis superstar, who is expected to be officially announced as the national junior tennis coach, may soon be saddled with other top responsibilities as the year goes by and Nigeria Tennis Live will keep up with his activities.