Nigeria’s chances of having a podium place finish at the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship has been dealt a huge blow as the country’s number one player, Sylvester Emmanuel, has pulled out of the tournament.
Nigerian Tennis Live can exclusively report that the player is suffering from an Appendix-related ailment and will be undergoing surgery to correct the anomaly.
Engr. Ifedayo Akindoju, the President of the Nigerian Tennis Federation (NTF), who made this disclosure to our correspondent on Friday afternoon, stated that the player will play no part in the tournament, at least, not in the first week.
In a short message sent, he wrote: “Major has appendix, has to get surgery and pull out of the Governor’s Cup.”
“I am fine, that’s all I can say for now,” he told our correspondent who sought to find out the state of his health and if the surgery had been carried out or not.
With the latest report, it is yet to be seen if he would be available for the tournament since he has not categorically confirmed the true state of things to the public.
Nigerian Tennis Live will keep monitoring the situation and file a detailed report as soon as there is a new development.