Yakubu and Montes Claim Singles Titles at ITF World Tennis Tour Junior J30 in Lagos

Posted : 17 November 2025

Top-seeded Ohunene Yakubu claimed the girls’ singles crown at the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior J30 Tournament, defeating second seed Success Ogunjobi 6-2, 6-4 in the final.

Spain’s Javier Montes, the eighth seed, beat Nigeria’s fourth seed James Benjamin 6-1, 6-3 to claim the boys’ singles title.

In the girls’ doubles, Zimbabwe’s Rutendo Mavhenyengwa and Rutendo Tom edged Nigeria’s Bright Emmanuel and Nenrot Suwa 7-5, 1-6, 10-5.

The boys’ doubles saw Montes and Vyom Shah defeat Benjamin James and Olawale Gbolahan 7-6, 4-6, 10-6 in a closely contested match.

Yakubu dominated early, using strong baseline play to take the first set and then resisted Ogunjobi’s late surge to close out the 1-hour, 18-minute match. Unbeaten throughout the event, she capped an impressive week, while Ogunjobi earned praise for her resilience.

Yakubu said she was delighted with back-to-back triumphs, noting that her confidence has grown and her ranking would benefit. Based at the TFF Performance Centre in Tunisia, she had also won the first J30 Lagos singles event, again beating Ogunjobi in that final.

“She played better than last time, but I raised my level. Neither leg was easy, and everyone brought their best,” Yakubu said. She added that the doubles win boosted her confidence, added match time, and strengthened her ranking outlook.

Yakubu praised the strong field, describing the competition as intense and full of talented players pushing each other. She encouraged the hosts to stage more junior events and expressed hope for additional J30 and higher-grade ITF tournaments.

The boys’ champion, Montes, said he was delighted, crediting hard work, patience, and belief for guiding him through a challenging week. “It was a tough match, but I stayed focused. Winning this title means a lot, and I am very happy,” he said, thanking his team for their support and composure. Montes also praised the tournament’s organisation and expressed a desire to return for future editions.

Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) President Victor Ochei said the past two weeks of junior action in Lagos boosted national tennis development. He noted the event aligned with the NTF’s long-term goal of nurturing young players capable of sustaining Nigeria’s global presence.

“To excel, Nigeria must invest in youth. We need a strong pipeline of players who can elevate the sport,” Ochei said, adding that competing against foreign opponents helped Nigerian juniors raise their game. Some players are already heading to tournaments in Morocco and Angola.

The NTF is finalising a 10-year National Grassroots Tennis Development Plan, scheduled for launch in 2026, targeting children aged 0–14 and creating a pathway from introductory tennis to elite development. “That is how we build a generation who inspire the next wave,” Ochei said.

He assured senior players of continued support, promising better facilities and sponsorship to maximise potential. Hailing the J30 Lagos success, Ochei said it showed Nigeria can soon host bigger and more prestigious ITF junior events. “Faithful in little, faithful in much. We have mastered smaller events, so we will push for J60, J100 and beyond,” he said, adding that preparations were ongoing for next year’s Davis Cup and other major competitions.

Yakubu and Montes Claim Singles Titles at ITF World Tennis Tour Junior J30 in Lagos

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