Nigeria Tennis Qualifies for Davis Cup World Group II, Eyes World Group I Return

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

Nigeria’s Davis Cup campaign has delivered a historic breakthrough, as the men’s team qualified for the World Group II stage at the prestigious international team tennis competition.

The achievement ends a long wait for progression in the Davis Cup, the world’s leading men’s team event organised by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Victor Ochei, has overseen renewed energy and investment in Nigerian tennis.

The team secured the promotion with a convincing 3–1 victory over Uzbekistan at a World Group II playoff tie staged in Lagos.

Top-ranked players Daniel Adeleye, Canice Abua, Michael Emmanuel, Bulus Christopher and Alafia Ayeni were central to the success on home soil.

Nigeria’s doubles pair of Abua and Emmanuel set the tone with a key 7–6, 6–4 win over their Uzbek counterparts.

Adeleye also produced decisive singles performances to help seal the overall tie for Nigeria.

The Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, 1895, provided a fitting backdrop for the tie and highlighted the city’s significance in nurturing Nigerian tennis talent.

Ochei described the result as a landmark for the sport in Nigeria and a sign of deeper structural improvements.

Looking ahead, Nigeria will aim for further progression into Davis Cup World Group I  the next stage of elite competition  where success would mark a return to top-tier status nearly four decades after earlier appearances in upper groups.

The feat has drawn praise from sports officials, including recognition of the growing emphasis on grassroots development and international competitiveness.

Nigeria’s Davis Cup resurgence underscores a broader revival in national tennis, with stakeholders hopeful the momentum will continue on the global stage.