The first Destiny Ford Da-Silva Tennis Open Championship starts today at the tennis section of the National Stadium in Lagos. The tournament has a total prize money of N30m.
This nine-day championship is organised by the Destiny Ford Da-Silva Foundation. It will run from November 13 to 21 and aims to bring together some of Nigeria’s top tennis players across various categories.
The tournament is sponsored by former Nigerian No. 1 tennis player and Davis Cup star, Destiny Ford Da-Silva. It will include men’s and women’s singles and doubles, wheelchair men’s and women’s singles and doubles, and men’s veterans singles.
Qualifying rounds will start tomorrow, while the main draw will kick off on Monday, November 16.
The champions in the men’s and women’s singles will each take home N1.5m. The remaining prize money will go to other categories in the tournament.
Organisers have also announced a N30,000 support for every player in the main draw to help with their participation in the tournament.
Before the championship, Da-Silva shared that the idea behind this event is to give Nigerian players more chances to compete. He wants to raise the standard of local tennis and find new talents.
Da-Silva said, “Our vision is to contribute meaningfully to the growth of tennis in Nigeria by creating a platform where players can compete, develop their abilities and earn recognition for their talents. We believe that Nigerian tennis has enormous potential, but players need more competitive opportunities and adequate support to realise it.
“This championship is not just about the prize money; it is about investing in the future of the sport, encouraging young players and providing a platform for athletes across different categories, including wheelchair tennis, to showcase their abilities.”
The former Davis Cup star mentioned that including wheelchair tennis and veterans’ categories shows the organisers' commitment to inclusivity. They want to provide chances for players of all ages and abilities.
He is hopeful that this competition will become a regular event on Nigeria’s tennis calendar. He believes it will also attract more private-sector support for the sport.
The championship is set to welcome players from various states. Participants must register through their state tennis associations.
This tournament represents a fresh effort from the private sector in Nigerian tennis. Stakeholders have been pushing for more investment in grassroots development, regular competitions, and better welfare for players.
With a N30m prize purse and many competitive categories, the tournament is expected to be a great opportunity for players to test their skills, improve their rankings, and compete for awards.
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