Emmanuel Opeyemi Kazeem (2007, Nigeria) | Men tennis player

👦 Emmanuel Opeyemi Kazeem | Tennis Papers interview, January 2026

“My goal for 2026 is to explore new avenues in my tennis career, and I hope to join an academy.”

Emmanuel Opeyemi Kazeem is an 18-year-old Nigerian tennis player based in Abuja, competing in the Men’s category with a national ranking of 25th. Determined and self-driven, he aims to join a professional academy and pursue his long-term goal of reaching the ATP Tour.

This profile is based on an exclusive interview conducted by Tennis Papers in January 2026.

📘 Emmanuel Opeyemi Kazeem | Biography, January 2026

🌆 Abuja, Nigeria 🇳🇬 – city of modern vision & calm elegance

🏛️ Capital city known for order, space & modern planning
⛰️ Framed by Aso Rock and wide natural landscapes
🌳 Enjoy green areas, wide avenues & peaceful districts
🎭 Discover culture, music & Nigerian diversity
🍽️ Taste rich local cuisine and international flavors
✨ A balanced mix of nature, politics & contemporary life

🎙️Emmanuel Opeyemi Kazeem | Interview, January 2026

Hello, introduce yourself please.

My name is Emmanuel Opeyemi Kazeem, I am 18 years old and will soon be 19. I was born on June 28, 2007.
I am Nigerian. My city of residence is Abuja, the federal capital of Nigeria.

What languages do you speak?

I speak English.

At what age did you start playing tennis?

I started playing tennis at the age of eight.

Are there other tennis players in your family?

I am the only tennis player in my family.

In which club do you train?

I currently train at the Abuja Tennis Club, located at the National Stadium in Abuja.

Who are your coaches?

I don’t have a coach at the moment.

What is your weekly training routine?

My weekly routine: On Mondays, I go to the gym for an hour, then I spend the rest of the day training on the tennis court.

What is your greatest strength as a player, and what do you need to improve?

My greatest strengths as a player are my serve, forehand, and serve-and-volley.

What is your age category and national ranking?

I play in the Men category. My current national ranking is 25th.

What have been your greatest successes so far?

My greatest source of motivation so far is myself. Having played in four finals in one year.

In which countries have you played tournaments?

I only participated in tournaments in my own country due to a lack of sponsors. I couldn’t afford to play abroad.

Do you have any sponsors?

I currently don’t have a sponsor. Because it’s very difficult to find one in my country.

What is your goal for 2026?

My goal for 2026 is to explore new avenues in my tennis career, and I hope to join an academy.

What is your tennis dream?

I dream of taking on new challenges and one day reaching the ATP Tour.

Who are your favorite tennis players?

My favorite tennis player, from the Big Three, is Rafael Nadal.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are also among my favorite players.

What do you enjoy outside of tennis?

Outside of tennis, I enjoy going to the gym, weight training, and spending time with my family.

Who would you like to dedicate this interview to?

I dedicate this interview to all the great players and coaches around the world.

🎯 Message to Coaches & Academies

Below is a personal message from Emmanuel Opeyemi Kazeem, addressed to coaches and academy directors who may be interested in his profile.

Dear Coach / Academy Director,

My name is Emmanuel Opeyemi Kazeem, and I am writing to respectfully express my interest in working as a hitting partner at your tennis academy.

I am 18 years old, turning 19 soon, and I have solid tennis experience that allows me to rally consistently, control pace, and adapt my game to support players aged 16 and under. I fully understand the importance of patience, discipline, and maintaining a positive and professional attitude when working with young athletes, and I am confident in my ability to contribute positively to their technical and physical development during training sessions.

I currently have a UTR rating of 8, and I am highly motivated to join any academy where I can gain experience as a hitting partner while continuing to grow within a structured training environment.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss this further and hope to hear from you soon.

Kind regards,
Emmanuel Opeyemi Kazeem

Emmanuel, thank you for the interview 🙌
Tennis Papers wishes you all the best in your tennis journey 💜🩷

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