Manny Ita –
Nigeria’s national tennis team has secured a historic promotion to the Davis Cup World Group II following a decisive 3-1 series victory over Uzbekistan at the National Stadium tennis courts in Lagos this weekend. The victory marks a significant milestone for Nigerian tennis, as the team successfully navigated the intense pressure of a home tie to leapfrog into the higher tier of global team tennis. The tie was effectively sealed on Monday morning during the reverse singles, where Nigeria’s top seed delivered a masterclass performance to dismantle the Uzbek resistance. “This is a dream realized for every player on this squad,” the team captain stated during the post-match celebrations. “We knew the weight of expectations playing in front of a Lagos crowd, and the boys showed incredible grit to pull this off against a very experienced side.”
The road to victory began with a split in the opening singles on Saturday, but the momentum shifted permanently in favor of the hosts during a grueling doubles encounter. The Nigerian duo overcame a first-set deficit to win in three sets, a result that many analysts believe broke the spirit of the visiting team. Uzbekistan’s lead player admitted the difficulty of the conditions, noting that “the energy from the stands was overwhelming, and the humidity made it difficult to sustain our level, but credit must go to Nigeria for their tactical discipline.” The final victory was met with jubilation from local fans and sports administrators who have long campaigned for increased funding and visibility for the sport in West Africa.
This promotion to World Group II places Nigeria in a competitive bracket that includes more established tennis nations, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for the development of the sport locally. The President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), while addressing the media after the final point, emphasized that the win was a result of long-term planning. “This isn’t just a win for the team; it’s a statement to the world that Nigerian tennis is back on the map,” he remarked. “We are going to enjoy this moment, but tomorrow we start preparing for the next level because the competition in World Group II is unforgiving.” With this win, Nigeria joins an elite group of African nations making strides on the international circuit, setting a high bar for the remainder of the 2026 sporting calendar.
