Nigeria’s tennis star, Emmanuel Michael, has expressed delight after pairing with Cannice Abua to secure a crucial doubles victory in Nigeria’s Davis Cup tie against Uzbekistan.
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The Nigerian duo of Canice Abua and Michael Emmanuel edged their Uzbek opponents 7–6, 6–4 in the doubles match, a result that proved decisive as Nigeria went on to claim a 3–1 overall victory, thereby qualifying for the Davis Cup World Group II stage.
Speaking to Sports247 after the encounter, Michael described the win as special, particularly playing in front of home supporters.
“I’m so excited playing in front of the home crowd. It really meant a lot to me. There was some pressure, but I was able to adapt to it,” he said.
Michael credited Nigeria’s recent success to improved preparation and teamwork within the squad.
“We are taking Nigeria to the next level now. The effort we put into training and into the matches is really working, and we are beginning to see the results,” he added.
On his partnership with Abua, Michael noted that their long-standing relationship contributed greatly to their strong performance.
“He has been my partner for a long time, so this is not the first time we are playing together. The chemistry is there, and it’s amazing to see us move forward like this.”
Looking ahead, the Nigerian tennis player said the team is eager to test itself on bigger stages.
“We are looking forward to going to the next level, especially in Europe, to show that Nigeria is a country that can compete and also win there,” he stated.
Michael also highlighted some of the challenges facing tennis players in Nigeria, calling for greater support and improved conditions.
“There are issues around welfare and support. The government and the private sector need to do more. Also, during matches, crowd control is important because noise after points can affect players.”
He, however, acknowledged improvements from officials and administrators.
“The support has improved compared to before, and we are happy because we are seeing changes and results.”
Emmanuel Michael’s profile continues to rise, having recently been crowned the 2025 CBN Open Men’s Singles Champion, further underlining his status as one of Nigeria’s leading tennis players.
