By Daily Sports Nigeria on October 26, 2023
Nigeria’s number one player, David Ekpenyong, has attributed his first-ever J100 title win in Accra, Ghana to his never-say-die attitude, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Nigerian teenage sensation came from a set down to defeat Nikola Jovic from Serbia 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Ekpenyong’s win now puts him 2-1 ahead of Jovic in their head-to-head meetings. Both players recorded a win each in their previous two meetings.
Reacting to his triumph, the 17-year-old said, “First of all, I want to congratulate myself for winning my first J100. Winning it in Ghana and more importantly, Africa makes it even better.
“I traveled to Canada to play J100, I got to the final but I couldn’t get to win so, I’m very impressed with myself and I’m proud of myself and the team also. My coaches, I’m proud of them and my academy, Aurum Tennis Academy.
“I feel great because I came into Ghana, I played J60 and won, got to the J100, in the first week, I lost in the finals and I felt bad because I believe winning the J60 should have given me an edge to win the J100 but I lost so badly in that match.”
Ekpenyong, whose victory in Ghana has seen him move up 41 places in the junior rankings and is now rated 216 in the world, added, “I prepared myself mentally and physically but unfortunately, I still lost the first set 6-2.
“When I was one set down, I just had this belief that I could fight. I just stayed positive and was not thinking of losing.
“My never-say-die attitude saw me bounce back to win the second set 6-4 and the final set 6-4. It was a tough one and I’m very happy and motivated to go play more tournaments. I just kept thinking that I could do it, and yeah, I did it.”
The Nigerian champion added that he would be moving to the US for more tennis tournaments as he continues his tennis development.
Source Punch Ng
Posted October 26, 2023
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