Austin Stephen Bags 5-Day All Expense Paid Holiday For Winning Lagos U15 Tennis Championship

Austin Stephen will be going to Dubai on a 5-day all expense paid trip this summer after winning the maiden edition of the Lagos U15 tennis championship at the national stadium, Surelere, Lagos.

The 15 year old Lafiaji Senior High. School pulpil defeated one of his longest rivals in the junior category, Michael Ayoola in pulsating two sets game to emerge winner.

Stephen also given a certificate of participation along with the championship's trophy and a racquet.

The young tennis star said he wants to play tennis at the highest level. And cited Nadal and Djokovic as the people he's looking up to beat their records.

He told tomiwababalola.com "I want to become a great tennis player like Nadal and Djokovic."

"I feel very happy winning the tittle because this is the fifth time I'm meeting Michael Ayoola in a tournament."

"Yes, I won. A lagos state tennis championship in 2015 and I've also won the CBN junior championship."

I was so lucky to beat him because like I said, this is the fifth time we are meeting, and I must confess, he's a better player, because each time I meet him, it is either in the semis or the final." he concluded

Meanwhile, the first runner up of the event, Michael Ayoola admitted that his opponent was better in that game as his impatience costed him the game.

Michael, is a pulpil of Ebute Elefon Senior Secondary School said he would go back to correct his mistakes to ensure they are not repeated the next time.

"Michael Ayoola: I did not play well cos in the first set I was rushing, wasn't patient enough, and in the second set, when he was leading 5-2, I was just playing like I have nothing else to lose."

"Next time I will ensure I put more effort into my game so I can come out victorious."

"I just told myself that I can still win regardless of the points he had got at that time."

"I've beaten him three times out of the five meetings with him, and I'm sure the next time I will be the one smiling home."

"It took me just two days to prepare for this tournament and if I'd prepared for more days, it would have turned out better than this." Ayoola Michael of Ebute Elefon Senior Secondary School told tomiwababalola.com

The second runner up, Wilson Igbinovia of Mary Anne memorial college told us that he was he has

learnt his lessons and he will take it up from there as he continues to grow in his tennis career.

Igbinovia, the younger brother to former Nigeria's number one tennis player, Jonathan Igbinovia was beaten in the semi finals, but won the second runner up title.

"I was happy and sad at the same time because this is my second tennis semi finals."

"I will need to return to training, work harder ahead of the next tournaments, and get to the finals and ultimately win titles for myself."

"I will surpass my brother's Tennis records in Nigeria, by extension be among the best in the world."

Speaking after the games on Saturday, the SA to the governor on sports, Mr Adeyinka Adeboye, explained that the state government has a lot of developmental plans to take the kids off the street.

He also disclosed that the tennis game, along with others that will be a yearly event.

"You should be expecting Table Tennis and Volley ball next."

"This event is going to be a yearly even and the next one will have the women's category."

"The winner of this event, Austin Stephen will be treated to a five day all expensed paid trip to Dubai on holidays in the summer, to encourage these players to do more with what they have seen so far, we are taking the boys from the streets, so there's so much work to do on them and by God's grace we will make it."

"It shows we know what. We are doing, it shows there's future for them and we want to ensure that we make them champions for Lagos state, Nigeria and the world at large."