Nigeria’s Inyang Teaches US Players Tennis Lessons, Wins New York Tourney Again

Nigeria’s national junior player, Gabriel Inyang, continued his breathtaking display on his summer training tour of the United States on Saturday by beating Alex Weinberg to retain the Feinberg 12 and Under tournament held at the Brant Lake Camp, Adirondacks, New York.

Naija Tennis Special gathered that the Victoria Garden City Club of Lagos player, who clocked 12 on July 21, was on top of his game against his American agemate wrapping up the one-sided clay court contest 6-0, 6-3 in less than an hour.

Nigeria’s Inyang has become a nightmare for young tennis players in the United States of America, winning the junior championship back-to-back.

His spectacular display was highlighted by the fact that he did not drop a single set in the tourney which featured 32 players.

Inyang and Weinberg had three weeks ago contested in final of the Beco Tournament on hard court which Inyang came out victorious with a nail-biting 8-6 win. Inyang has now won back-to-back titles at the Beco Junior Tournament and the Feiberg Junior Tournament both organised by the United States Tennis Association.

He represented Nigeria at the 2017 ITF/ CAT West and Central Africa 12 and Under Championship in April in Lagos and was Nigeria’s best performer at the tournament as observed by ITF Development Officer, Moroccan Amine Ben Machlouf, the chief referee at the tournament.

Young Inyang is believed to be fearless and mature even when he is expected to be low on morale.

His latest feat has enhanced his chances of getting consideration for scholarship at the ITF High Performance Centre in Morocco. 

“I have had to oversee a talented young player who is also matured beyond his years. I have been extremely impressed with his attitude during training and during matches. He is always calm under pressure and continues to fight even when he is down.

“Gabriel is an extremely promising young player who possesses all the right traits to make it far in tennis. If he is motivated,” Jon Bradley, a UK-based tennis pro at the camp said of him.

Triumphant Inyang is all smiles here after another amazing tournament.

His father, Richard Inyang, who also doubles as his personal coach, noted that he felt elated at his boy’s performance in the tournament, more because he played against other tough opponents in the United States.

“I am truly excited about his rapid improvement in the game of tennis.

“Over here, he is working with a lot of tennis pros from different countries guided by Jon Bradley, the head pro of intermediates in the camp.

“We want to appreciate the VGC Tennis Club as well as Wakanow and Azimuth Shipping for their tireless support over the years,” the proud father told Naija Tennis Special from the United States where the tournament took place.