With the array of players stepping up their game in Nigeria, Oyinlomo Quadre says it may be difficult to defend the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Open in 2020.
The 17-year-old Nigerian number one female tennis star was the cynosure of all eyes in 2019 as she won the Nigerian Slam.
She made history by achieving this feat without dropping a set, a record which she set in the outgone tennis calendar year.
But as tournaments are limited in the current tennis season, the African number two junior tennis star remains in the country to try to defend her title from 2019.
And in this interview with Nigeria Tennis Live, Quadre, ranked 948 on the WTA, explained why she believes it may be difficult to repeat the feat from 2019 eventhough she is mentally and physically fit.
About her preparations, the top 150 world junior player said: “I am in the little way that I can, Nigeria isn’t exactly in a good spot at the moment and so it’s been hard to practice cause of the curfew and multiple protesting in Lagos, where I reside.
“But mentally I am prepared!“
On her chances at the tournament, the Morocco-based star noted that “My goal there is definitely to win, I think these days when I look at how good people are playing at a very young age, I realize that I am lacking behind and therefore I make sure to put 100% in everything I do and aim high.
“So definitely I am going there to win but I know it won’t come easy because nothing good comes easy.”
Quadre believes she can win this, however, and that is the main reason she is participating.
“That’s one of my main reasons for playing CBN, haven’t played a tournament since March which is a long time, so my excitement level is currently on the high,” the talented youngster informed Nigeria Tennis Live.
The annual CBN Open kicks off with the preliminary round of matches on Friday, 6 November and will climax on Saturday, 14 November.
Nigeria Tennis Live will be on ground to share updates with our ever present followers scattered across the world.