Aanu Aiyegbusi on Saturday withdrew midway into the final match of the women’s singles event to hand Oyinlomo Quadre the title at the DavNotch National Open Tennis Championship in Abuja.
Aiyegbusi, who was the number two seed, was clearly struggling as a result of an injury and had to withdraw.
The championship which was in its maiden edition was held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
Quadre, who won the toss and chose to serve, was on the front foot from the beginning of the game and raced into a 4-0 lead in the first set.
However, Aiyegbusi was nursing an injury throughout and she forced the game to an abrupt end with the umpire declaring Quadre the champion.
“It was actually a very short match and I wish my opponent a very quick recovery after she retired in the first set at four games to love due to injury.
“It was however a nice match and I think I started early and I put a lot of pressure on my opponent, which my strategy was coming into the game. So, I am really happy with the way I played.
“Overall, I am just really delighted to have been able to win this tournament, especially because it’s the first edition.
“Although, it’s not easy for me to actually play these matches and win like this as it is really tough for me mentally because there are a lot high expectations as everyone expects me to win.
“So every time I step onto the court I always try to give my best knowing everyone would also want to put in their best to try to defeat me,” Quadre who was the number one side said after the game.
Quadre, who is currently rated Nigeria’s number one tennis player in both the junior and senior categories and number two in Africa, later said the secret of her success.
She attributed it to her frequent participation in so many competitions both home and abroad.
“I am currently based in Morocco where I have been for the past six years now and I have been playing in a lot of tournaments and competing with a lot of people.
“So, I actually have an edge over my compatriots because, apart from this tournament which is the first edition, they only have four national tournaments in the country at the moment.
”But I play up to 20 to 30 tournaments in a year when I am outside Nigeria.
“I think that tells a lot. Tennis is not magic and one needs a lot of consistency which I think they lack,” Quadre said.
The winner of the women’s single event pocketed the sum of ₦500,000, while the runner-up received ₦250,000.
The semi-finalists and quarter-finalists smiled home with ₦100,000 and ₦75,000 respectively, while second round and first round players received ₦50,000 and ₦35,000 respectively.
