BY ADEYEMI ROBINSON-ADEFIOYE, LAGOS
Africa’s number 2 ranked junior tennis players, OYINLOMO QUADRE says covid-19 look-down affects her playing time physically and mentally.
In an exclusive interview with www.sunrisetimes.com.ng , QUADRE said she cannot wait for the Federal Government to lift the ban on International flight.
QUADRE who is world 130 in Junior hinted that she cannot wait to join her colleagues at the International Tennis Federation (ITF), International Tennis Academy in Morocco to take part in the Moroccan National Tennis Championship in Casablanca.
“It has affected me as it has affected everyone, we were not able to practice much, physically I am not as prepared as it should be and mentally also, so it has delayed a lot of things and also my goals, because I have been out for like more than five months, it’s delayed things I want to achieved this year.
“Everything has to be flexible due to the pandemic, I can’t make a fixed calendar right now, but I am planning to go back to Morocco as soon as possible and to start preparing for other tournaments there because tennis has started there in Morocco and it’s much better to be their right now.
“It is much better to be in Morocco because the courts here in Nigeria are all closed , right now I can’t play in my club, I have to play in a private court, there, in Morocco is much more competitive, they have started national tournament already, so it’s much better for me to go back as soon as possible”.
The number 960 WTA ranked sensation said she is set to improve on her ranking in the next tournament adding that her goal was to be among the top one hundred in the first phase of the year but she was unable to achieved that goal due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic but looking forward to do better with the little chance she has.
“The number one in Africa also lives with me in Morocco and we always practice together, she is number 128 ranked in juniors which is about three to four spots ahead of me. So I have to do better in next tournament , improve my ranking because my goal in the first half of the year is to be ranked among the first one hundred but I have to stopped in March because of the pandemic but to do better with the little time remaining in the year “ said Quadre.
