Following her exploits at the 2019 Lagos Open, Oyinlomo Quadre has now achieved a career-high WTA singles ranking of 940 in the world.
The teenage sensation had reached the round of 16 in the first leg of the Lagos Open in October before making a brilliant run to the quarterfinals in the second leg, notably beating the tournament’s 8th seed, Tamara Curovic of Serbia, along the way.
The 16-year-old, who ended the 2018 season with a ranking of 1042, is now back on the log as one of two Nigerian players to be ranked on the WTA singles standing. She says it’s an overwhelming feeling and a thing of pride.
“Well it’s always an overwhelming feeling when I think of the fact that I am making Nigeria proud as much as possible and that’s one of the things that keep me going,” said Quadre.
“That proud feeling I get everytime the Nigerian flag is seen somewhere because of me. So like right now, I have the same feeling. I feel overwhelmed with happiness.”
While the youngster noted that her new ranking is a big step for her, she says there are no immediate plans yet to improve on it as she still has issues with her visa.
“I have no immediate plans yet, because I still have some struggles with my visa and all that,” Quadre said. “But what I can say for sure is that I am making plans towards that.”
The 2019 season is already at an end, and players now have their sights set on the new season. For Quadre, she intends to train more and play competitively before the start of the 2020 season.
“Pre season includes more physical training and that’s what I will do to get prepared for the new season,” the 16-year-old said. “I will play a lot of juniors but also more ITF tournaments as possible.”
From having no player with a singles ranking on the WTA rankings log, Nigeria now has two.
Blessing Samuel, who became ranked 1024 after her round of 16 showing at the Lagos Open, is the other player.
Also, Blessing Anuna, who reached the women’s doubles quarter-finals in partnership with Ronke Akingbade at the Lagos Open, is now the only Nigerian ranked on the WTA doubles standings, with a ranking of 1221.