My dream is to play US, Australia, and French Open, says 9-year-old Nana
9-year-old Rose Nana is one of the shining lights in lawn tennis in Nigeria. Recently, she emerged as champion of the Lagos Schools’ Tennis Championship held inside the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos.
In an interview with SGSglobalsports.com, from her new base in Canada, she said her dream is to play in the US, Australia, and French Open. Kindly read the excerpt oof her interveiw and watch to get full details of the journey shared by her Dad.
Que: Basically, what do you like the most about playing tennis?
Answer: Yeah, I like a lot of things, it is like when we are having fun on the court. Whenever I play with my friends, it is like having fun on the court.
Que: Who is your favourite tennis player, and why?
Ans: My favourite tennis player is Coco Gauff, because she is a strong woman and I want to grow up strong.
Que: Can you tell us about your favourite match?
Ans: That was during the under-14 girls’ final in Lagos Lawn Tennis Club. I played against Mofifunoluwa Atilola, and she was leading me eight six tiebreaks. She only had two points to win the whole match, and I had four points to win the whole match, too. I did my rocket speed, and I did four very good shots with no reply.
Que: What is your secret of winning such a great feat during the just concluded Lagos School championship?
Ans: Not really a secret, just a little technique my coach taught me, which is the use of racket.
Que: What are the things you do before you go on the court?
Ans: Before going to the court, I usually practice with my coach, friends, Coach KK, or you can call him Coach K. Also, I practice for maybe 20 or 30 minutes before going to play on the court. That is how I get ready for the matches.
Que: Apart from your coach, who are those who help you practice and support you the most in the game of tennis?
Ans: Yeah, there are so many people. My supporters like Wale, Success, Jewel, and Yaya.
Que: What is the level of support you receive from your parents?
Ans: They are supportive as well.
Que: What is the most fun thing about being on the tennis courts?
Ans: I enjoy playing very good tennis with my coach.
Que: Is there a specific tournament or event you dream of playing in one day?
Ans: Yeah, there are actually three tournaments I wish to play in the Wimbledon, US Open, Australia Open, and French Open.
Que: Can you share a time you faced a very tough opponent?
Ans: Yeah, another tough opponent I have played with is Kwangi. Kwangi during the Alhaji Isa tournament
Que: What did you learn from it or from the match?
Ans: I learned that it is all about concentrating or focusing on the game because I won the match at the end
Que: What is your favourite thing you do off the tennis court?
Ans: I enjoy watching TV with my friends.
After the Dad came on to share with us on how they got scouted from Canada and their journey from Nigeria to Canada, her clothing deal, and the next phase of her career.
Interviewed by: G of SGS Sport Sport.
