A Nigerian teenager could play at a tennis Grand Slam this year. His name is Seun Ogunsakin.
Ogunsakin is currently ranked 74 in the world junior rankings, which puts him close to automatic entry into major junior tournaments. He narrowly missed out on playing at the Australian Open Juniors earlier this year, but his ranking now places him in line for the French Open Juniors and Wimbledon Juniors main draws.
Playing at a junior Grand Slam is a big step for any young player. It gives players exposure to top level competition and is often the pathway to professional tennis.
Ogunsakin has been competing steadily on the ITF junior circuit, picking up points that have helped push his ranking upward.
If he maintains his position, he is expected to gain direct entry into at least one Grand Slam junior event later this year.
Should that happen, Ogunsakin would become one of the few Nigerian players in recent years to feature on tennis’ biggest junior stage.