2011 Governor’s Cup Update: Local Players Need Tennis Academy

 Sarah Adegoke, is the youngest to play in the main draw of this year’s edition of the Governor’s Cup. In this interview with OLUSEGUN ABIDOYE at the Lagos Tennis Club, Onikan, she speaks on how she started the game and other issues about the game.

How did you start playing tennis?

I started the game some years ago in Ibadan Recreational Club, Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State. My father introduced the game to me and also helped me to know the tactics in tennis. Since then, he has been doing everything possible to ensure that I mature in the game.

You lost in the first round of the second leg. How did you feel about it?

I feel bad about it because I was determined to move to the next round but could not do that. It is painful to be out of the tournament at this early stage. I also feel bad because I disappointed my fans that were expecting me to play in the second round.

What challenges do you face as a player?

Tennis is an expensive game. Unlike football, where you need to buy just only boot, in tennis you need to buy canvass, racket, ball and other things to call yourself a player. Another problem is the dearth of tourneys in the country. We do not have competitions most times. It affected me as an upcoming player.

Who is your role model?

For now, I do not have a role model. I’m only working forward to becoming a role model for other players in the nearest future.

What do you think Nigerian players need to do to win this tourney?

The problem is not with Nigerian players, but the Nigeria Tennis Federation. They need to give us tennis academy, where we will be able to combine our academy career with tennis career with minimum stress. They need to find sponsors for more tournaments in the country and sponsors for players to feature in international tourneys.

How long have you been playing tennis?

I started when I was six or seven years old. Since then I have been playing the game.

How old are you now and where do you school?

I’m 14 and I’m schooling at Saint Louis Grammar School, Mokola, Ibadan. I’m in SSS 2.