Nigeria-Born British Player Hails LOC For Changing Governor’s Cup To Lagos Open Tennis

SUNDAY AKINTOYE 

Tiffany William, Nigerian – born British tennis player 

Tennis players around the world have continued to commend the decision of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to change the annual Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis to a new repackaged Lagos Open Tennis Championship.

The chairman of the LOC, Chief Pius Akinyelure recently announced the repackaged of the Lagos Open Tennis which is still under the auspices of the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Open (Men and Women).

One of the foreign players who have applauded the organisers is Tiffany William, who is a Nigerian but playing for the Great Britain.  William who graduated from the University of Middle Tennessee in December 2015 with a Bachelors degree in Psychology said in an interview that “I think this is a great move as tennis is undergoing change, so it makes sense that the organisers also want to move forward as well. It will definitely attract more high-ranked players to compete consequently improve the quality of the competition thereby help to further put Nigeria on the tennis map.”

William was in Lagos last year to compete in the Governor’s Cup and was able to make it to the doubles final in the women’s event. She and her partner, Tadeja Majeric lost the final of the second leg to Conny Perrin of Switzerland and Valeriya Strakhova from Ukraine. Her plan this year is to pair with another player in the women’s doubles.

“I do not know whether Tadeja will be playing the tournament again this year but I have already arranged to play with Paulina Jastrzebska from Poland with whom I won my first Doubles title in June of this year. Hopefully we can relive some of the good moments we had then again in Nigeria,” said William who started playing tennis at the age of 9.

To William, who joined the Tour full time in 2017 and has been having great results since them, said she won’t be under any pressure coming to play in the Lagos Open Tennis which serves off 29 September at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

Tadeja Majeric (right) with Tiffany William poising with the runners up trophies in the Women’s Doubles of Futures 5 of Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis in 2017 

“Yes, I am very much looking forward to playing the Governor’s Cup again this year. I had a great experience last year making my first pro final in the Doubles and am eager to have such highs again. I am preparing as I would for any tournament; practicing rigorously five days of the week. I have no expectations in terms of how far I expect to go in the tournament as I do not like to put too much pressure on myself however I do have specific performance goals for myself.”

William confessed that her debut experience at the Governor’s Cup last year was a great one, saying: “this will be my second time at the Governor’s Cup as last year was my first. Last year, after the tournament I had some of my best results of the year in singles; yes, the tournament definitely had a positive impact on my level of play. Making the final also gave me a lot of confidence and showed me that I am more than capable of competing at that level.”

Tiffany William (2nd left) with the Secretary to Lagos State Government, Mr Tunji Bello and other Women’s Doubles winners and runners up at the Governor’s Cup 2017

After the tournament in 2017, she left with exciting memories of being in Lagos, the Centre of Excellence. She said: “Well, it was my first time in my native Nigeria so that experience alone was one that I will always cherish. I was able to meet some family members for the first time and they were also able to watch me play for the first time. Also, making my first pro final of course was another highlight. I met some wonderful people at the tournament who were helping out or part of the organization, which as a whole contributed to making it an amazing first experience.”

However, she has this advice for the LOC on how to improve on the organisation of the Lagos Open Tennis as the tournament is undergoing transition to become a Challenger Series very soon.

“It would be great if the women’s event could also include hospitality like the men’s as this would make the tournament more inviting.,” she said.