Our Own Noma Akugue In The Final

SIMBO OLORUNFEMI 

Nigeria’s own Noma Noha Akugue, ranked No. 207 in the world is currently playing the match of her life, seeking to be the first German champion in Hamburg Open since Steffi Graf won in 1992. Already, she has made history As the first German teenager to reach a WTA level final in Germany since Anke Huber did so in 1994.

It has been a difficult match so far, Noha having lost the first set 6-0 and giving back the early break she got in the second set. All the great attributes I gathered to be a part of her game have been absent. Her aggressive forehand has been errant. The dropshots, erratic and poor.

But given her record in this tournament, which she debuts as a wild card, it would be wrong to count her out. She has come from behind in all but one of her matches, even saving matchpoints on her way to this final.

She has the backing of the German greats, who are rooting for her to live up to the high hopes they have had in her for some years.

She had won the German National Championships in 2020 at the age of 17. Even though she was sidelined by a shoulder injury for the second half of 2021, she came back last year, leaning on an impressive run, to rise from No.708 to No.258, following up this year with a Grand Slam qualifying debut at Roland Garros.

Noha, born in Germany is of Nigerian descent, the father, Ronald Obazelu, said to have been a boxer, migrating from Nigeria to Germany in the 1990s. She has only been to Nigeria a few times, but it’s easy to tell from her dancing skills that she is in touch with home, proud of the fact that Rema, the Afrobeats singer is from the same area of Edo State as her father.

She draws inspiration from Naomi Osaka. “I like her poker face,” she said. “She’s also an aggressive player. She’s similar to me, that’s why I like her. It’s also important to see a Black woman in tennis — Serena as well, of course. It’s good for young players.”

It is a tough one today. She has already saved 2 Championship points. Her opponent, Arantxa Rus is ranked No. 60 and seeded 7th in the tournament. Though a veteran, she is only playing her first final as the oldest first-time WTA singles finalist in 16 years. Analysts say that Rus is indeed playing some of the best tennis of her career. With that, there is so much at stake for the 2 sides of the Court.

While praying for a fairytale ending for Noha today, however it goes, she has made history. There is enough indication that her future is bright.

Wishing you well, Noha, with the tiebreak.

Hope you take this to the 3rd set and a win.

Thank you, Ayoola, for pointing me in her direction.

#HamburgOpen #WTA #HamburgEuropeanOpen