Until the commencement of the Junior ITF Circuit in Abuja, not many Nigerians were familiar with the name Candice Abua. He stunned bookmakers to win the first of the competition.
And in the newly-released rankings by the ITF on Monday, he moved from zero on the log to be ranked 1190 in the world.
This incredible feat has now shot the youngster into prominence as the ITF will now take note of him and his activities, starting with the second leg of the competition in Abuja.
Abayomi Philips, who was seeded one for the tournament also managed to move over 50 places on the log even though he lost to Gabriel Friday in the quarterfinal of the Junior Circuit.
Philips is now ranked 525 in the world rankings, the 27th best junior male tennis player in Africa and the highest placed Nigerian on the Circuit presently.
Also, Emmanuel Jebutu who won the doubles event with Philips moved over 200 places in the latest rankings and is now ranked 1115, after losing in the semifinals to eventual winner, Abua.
With the second leg of the Abuja competition underway, there are higher chances of seeing a Nigerian player shoot into the top 400 or 300 of the world junior rankings.
Nigeria Tennis Live will keep tabs on the rankings as they’re released and report them to our teeming followers.