Nigerian tennis star Barakat Quadre has expressed optimism about the future of tennis in the country following Team Nigeria’s historic promotion to the Billie Jean King Cup Europe/Africa Group II, describing the achievement as a major milestone for the sport.
Nigeria’s women’s team made history by earning promotion to Group II for the first time, completing a remarkable campaign at the 2026 Europe/Africa Group III event in Gaborone, Botswana. The breakthrough followed victories over Burundi, Namibia and Madagascar in the group stage before the team sealed promotion in the playoffs.
Speaking after the historic achievement, Quadre said the success reflects the steady progress Nigerian tennis has made in recent years.
“I’m very optimistic about the future of tennis in Nigeria. This promotion shows that we’re moving in the right direction, and I believe there are even greater achievements ahead for us,” Quadre said.
The Nigerian international praised the commitment of her teammates and coaching staff, noting that the achievement was the reward for months of hard work and dedication.
“Everyone worked extremely hard to make this happen. It’s a proud moment for all of us, and I hope this inspires more young players to believe they can achieve great things in tennis,” she added.
The promotion caps a memorable year for Nigerian tennis, coming after the men’s national team also secured promotion to the Davis Cup World Group II earlier in 2026, marking one of the most successful periods in the country’s tennis history.
Quadre believes the twin achievements by both national teams demonstrate the growing strength of Nigerian tennis and provide a solid foundation for future success on the international stage.
With Nigeria set to compete in Europe/Africa Group II next season, Quadre is confident the team can continue its upward trajectory and establish itself among the continent’s leading tennis nations.
