History of Lawn Tennis in Nigeria

The story

How tennis grew in Nigeria

The game of tennis developed from a 12th-century French handball game called jeu de paume, which means the game of the palm, because in its first centuries the ball was hit with the palm of the hand.

It was believed that Tennis came into existence in Nigeria early 20th century (1904), the game of lawn tennis became popular when the local tournaments were fixed and played between clubs, Government department as well as with other West African countries such as Ghana and Togo in the year 1920.

There were some other tournaments which were organized by the Slazenger Sports Company and were held in Lagos Tennis Club Onikan in 1927, with Mr Galvo as the winner; the tournament recorded their first attempt made a history.

The game which was initiated by the Europeans was controlled and managed by them for like ten years until Etim B. and Effom suddenly embarked on making the Double champions known in 1938 and 1940. During the year 1949, Herbert B. Orange became the Men’s Singles champions which stopped the European control in the Men’s single sector. The winner from the Men’s Double in the same year was Walter C. Obianwu who was also paired by Herbert. B., after this, Nigerian speedily took total control of the Lawn tennis sports.

The senior players were fully into the tennis team in the late 50’s. However the junior and school championships were later developed, which some of these players includes Late Lawrence Awopegba, Christian Ofodili, Emmanuel Edu, Thompson Onibokun and others and as time goes on; some of the junior players later graduated to the senior cadre.

Tennis in Nigeria declined in terms of performance and availability since the 1980s but has risen once again with the aim of becoming better. Development of tennis seems impossible despite the help of Great national Champions like David Imonite who rendered everything both personal relationships to influence and develop the game in the 1980s.

Nigeria stayed away from the Davis Cup for many years in protest against the apartheid regime in South Africa and rejoined in 1985, winning the Africa Zone in 1986. Today Nigeria takes part in the Davis Cup, the African Games and other international tournaments.