One of Nigeria’s most prominent tennis players, Abdul-Mumuni Babalola, has won the 2017 Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Open, Naija Tennis Special can report.
The Ibadan-based tennis star put up a sterling performance to knock out Joseph Imeh, a budding junior player, in two straight sets to show tennis followers and fans that he is still in the business of winning even under dire conditions.
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| Abdulmumuni Babalola receiving his trophy after winning another CBN Open championship. |
Babalola, who had not won any major tournament in the country for years, rose to the challenge when it mattered most, and came back from a 2-4 game in the first set to wrap up the game at 6-4 before racing to a 4-1 lead in the second and subsequently taking it at 6-3.
In a chat with our correspondent after the match, the Davis Cup player stated that he is not bothered about his age so long as he continues with his self-discipline.
“Age is just a number.”
“If you look at someone like Roger Federer who is still winning grand slams despite his age, you’ll understand that you need discipline and mental toughness to be able to scale through,” the legendary Nigerian tennis star offered.
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| Mary-Love became the first 12-year-old to reach the finals of a senior tennis tournament in Nigeria. |
In the Women’s Singles final, Sarah Adegoke overcame surprise finalist, Mary Love Edwards in two straight sets of 6-0, 6-3 to win the elusive CBN tournament exactly five years after losing her first final to former Nigerian number one player, Fatimah Abinu.
Adegoke, who was obviously overjoyed after the win noted that it would have been an embarrassment for her had the youngster – who had the most supporters on the day – defeated her.
“I now have to play more tournaments so that I can get better with my game,” the talented Sarah told Naija Tennis Special after the match.
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