The latest decision by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to expand the size of qualifying draw to 32 has been effected with the fast approaching Tombim Abuja Open.
This much was gathered by Nigeria Tennis Live on the ITF website as the world tennis governing body also revealed the deadline date for entry to the pro circuit holding in Nigeria’s Federal Capital from 8-14 April.
According to our findings, the deadline for players’ registration for the Tombim Abuja Open is 21 March, while the date for players’ withdrawal has been penned at 26 March.
16-year-old Jack Draper won the 2018 edition of the Lagos Open Tennis Championship – the last ITF World Tour Championship hosted by Nigeria.
Failure to abide by these regulations will either attract a fine by the tennis body or players’ non-participation in the $25,000+H tournament which is fast becoming one of the biggest in West Africa.
Edmond Ajoge, the prime sponsor of the tournament had once revealed to our correspondent that one of the reasons the competition is being continually sponsored in Nigeria is to “bring the world to Nigerian players since they cannot always get sponsorship to travel abroad.
“The players will rub minds with their foreign counterparts and learn a few things from them.”
In spite of Ajoge’s wishes, no Nigerian has been able to win the tournament since its inception.
As at the time of filing this report, the players who had signified their interests in attending the tournament had not been revealed by the ITF, but Nigeria Tennis Live will keep tabs on preparations towards the circuit and inform our teeming followers.