The inaugural Destiny Ford Da-Silva Tennis Open Championship serves off on Friday (today) at the tennis section of the National Stadium, Lagos, with a total prize purse of N30m.
The nine-day championship, organised by the Destiny Ford Da-Silva Foundation, will run from November 13 to 21 and is expected to attract some of the country’s leading tennis players across several categories.
The tournament, sponsored by former Nigerian No. 1 tennis player and Davis Cup star, Destiny Ford Da-Silva, will feature men’s and women’s singles and doubles, wheelchair men’s and women’s singles and doubles, as well as men’s veterans singles.
The qualifying rounds are scheduled to begin Saturday, while the main draw will commence on Monday, November 16.
The men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive N1.5m, with the remaining prize money distributed among the other participating categories.
In addition, the organisers have announced a N30,000 subsidy for every main-draw player to support their participation in the competition.
Speaking ahead of the championship, Da-Silva said the initiative was conceived to provide Nigerian players with more competitive opportunities, improve the standard of domestic tennis and help discover emerging talents.
He 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 added that the inclusion of wheelchair tennis and veterans’ categories reflected the organisers’ commitment to making the championship inclusive and providing opportunities for players across different age groups and abilities.
He expressed optimism that the competition would become a regular feature on Nigeria’s tennis calendar and attract greater private-sector investment in the sport.
The championship is expected to draw participants from different states, with players required to register through their respective state tennis associations.
The competition marks a fresh private-sector initiative in Nigerian tennis at a time when stakeholders have continued to call for increased investment in grassroots development, regular domestic competitions and improved welfare for players.
With its ₦30m prize purse and multiple competitive categories, the tournament is expected to provide an important platform for players to test their abilities, improve their rankings and compete for honours.