Abubakar Yusuf’s journey into tennis began at the young age of 12 when he was introduced to the sport by his friend Yahaya Sani Inabo.
“He [Yahaya] introduced me to tennis, he took me to the tennis court, we started picking balls together, after picking balls, we would train, that’s how we began our tennis journey,” the Mambilla Barracks Tennis Club player began during the brief chat with Nigeria Tennis Live.
Today, Abubakar still plays with his friend, and their shared passion for the sport continues to drive their journey forward.
His progression in tennis has been steady, though not without its challenges. Abubakar acknowledges the pressures and hurdles he faces as a tennis player, from the lack of sponsorship and facilities to the limited opportunities in tournaments.
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Throughout his career, Abubakar has competed in several notable tournaments such as DALA, CBN, VEMP, RAINOIL, ZENITH, AZIMUTH, UTR, J30 and 60, ALL AFRICAN GAMES.
Abu points out the scarcity of competitions within the country and the injustice he sees in how junior tournaments are handled. Despite these obstacles, he remains determined to persevere and improve his game.
His participation in these events has exposed him to different levels of competition, both domestically and internationally.
Reflecting on his experience at the All African Games, Abubakar describes it as an exciting opportunity that allowed him to play against international players, including those with ATP rankings.
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Competing against top-tier athletes and African peers was a significant experience that Abubakar cherishes and learns from.
When it comes to his tennis style, Abubakar cites his strengths thus: “my strengths are my forehand and court coverage.”
However, he openly admits to areas needing improvement, saying: “I have a very bad volley, then overhead, and acute shot.”
His favorite Nigerian tennis player is Christopher Baron Bulus, and had this to say “I love him so much, he’s very nice, cool guy, he used to play with the junior players, not only the junior players but fellow players, he’s very kind and cool guy.”
As for his dreams and aspirations, Abubakar aims to reach the pinnacle of professional tennis “my dream is to play at the top and playing ATP, winning a Grand Slam.”
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His mentor in this pursuit is the Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner, who serves as a role model for Abubakar’s own aspirations.
Abubakar Yusuf’s journey in tennis is one marked by ambition and resilience. Despite the obstacles he faces, his dedication to the sport remains unwavering. His dream to ascend to the top of professional tennis and claim victory in grand slam tournaments propels him forward.
With the support of friends, mentors, and his own determination, Abubakar’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and passion in the pursuit of one’s dreams.
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