Mohammed Mohammed: I want to succeed where my father failed in tennis

Could you introduce yourself?My name is Mohammed Mohammed Lawal. I am from Kogi state but I reside here in the FCT with my parents. I started playing tennis at the age of four.Why did you choose tennis?I chose tennis among other sports because of the challenges that come with playing the game. It is a […]

Could you introduce yourself?
My name is Mohammed Mohammed Lawal. I am from Kogi state but I reside here in the FCT with my parents. I started playing tennis at the age of four.
Why did you choose tennis?
I chose tennis among other sports because of the challenges that come with playing the game. It is a game that you play with the whole of your mind. It is a sophisticated game but I enjoy playing it so much.
How much encouragement have you received from your father?
Actually my dad who is a former tennis player inspired me to play the game. My dad always talked about when he was playing and why he couldn’t make it. I then said if my dad played but couldn’t make it, let me see what I can do to succeed where he failed. That’s one of the things that inspired me. He has been supporting me with everything. He sponsors me to tournaments. He pays for my flight tickets, bus fares, accommodation, feeding and playing equipment. He continued till when I was like 15, 16 before other sympathetic guys decided to support what he has been doing. He is my main sponsor. Even though he does not have much, he wants to see me there. I don’t know how much to thank him.
When are you going to make your transition to the senior circuit?
For now I am still in the Junior Circuit. I will be playing my last ITF Junior Circuit this year, later in September in Benin Republic. That will be my last tournament as a junior player. I will try to graduate to the senior. So far, I don’t think I have had a really good performance all round but at least it is recommendable.
When did you start representing Nigeria?
I have represented Nigeria a couple of times. I began in 2010 here in Abuja. I played the finals but did not win. I have represented Nigeria in Togo, Benin Republic, Ghana and Morocco early this year. I started with U-14, U-16, and U-18. The one I am going to attend now is the ITF Circuit which is U-18 in Benin Republic.
Have you set any target for yourself in the tournament?
It is my final junior tournament so my target is to win the title because I really need the points to push me to the senior circuit. Although one cannot use the junior points in the senior circuit, at least it can help me to get a school abroad or sponsorship to help me throughout my senior years. I am really prepared for the tournament. I started training a month ago and I think I am getting in shape now.
Is there any opponent you are thinking of beating at the tournament?
Well most of the players I would have been thinking about have skipped the junior already so basically I will be the one that other players would want to beat in Benin. It is for this reason that I am training really hard. If I don’t step up my performance, I may not be able to end on a high.
You are attending the tournament as a team. How ready are your team mates?
My team mates are very good and ready to go. I can tell you with confidence that my team mates are really good and I think we are really focused on what we are going there to do. If all things end well, we would come home with all the medals.
For a young tennis player, what is the major challenge you face?
It is very difficult getting sponsors. Tennis is really an expensive sport and most of us don’t come from rich homes. So it is always difficult to get sponsorship to attend tournaments. I therefore want to plead with well to do individuals and corporate organisations to come to our aid. We won’t let them down.
Have you gained anything by playing tennis?
I have gained a lot even as I am yet to go far in tennis. Tennis has impacted positively on my entire life. In my education and personal life, I have gained from tennis. I have travelled out to different countries to represent Nigeria. And like you know, travelling is part of education.
How do you feel each time you are out on the court playing for Nigeria?
It is always a great feeling. It is an amazing feeling when everybody recognises you as the one representing Nigeria. If you are called Mohammed Mohammed representing Nigeria, you will definitely feel you are on top of the whole world. Even if you are not given anything, just the fact that you are representing Nigeria is enough motivation.
What is your happiest moment as a tennis player?
 Yeah I think there was this particular match in Ghana in 2010 and that was my first international tournament outside Nigeria. So I was like a novice in the tournament and nobody knew anything about me. I was playing against this guy from the ITF centre and everybody thought he would beat me straight but everybody was surprised that I ended the guy in two straight sets. The ITF coach, tournament organisers were all watching and were like where have you been all these years?. That very day I made a lot of friends. At least ten guys came to me and told me, men you are so good, where are you from? They collected my contact. Even though I did not win the tournament, it was a very good experience and I cannot forget it in a hurry.
Your saddest moment
There was this game I played in Morocco this year where we represented Nigeria. It was an important tournament. If any of us had gotten to quarter finals, our team would have been selected to tour Europe. I won the first and second matches. Had it been I won the third match, the next match which was very important would have been an easy one but I lost the match 6-0, 6-2. It was like a nightmare. Even if I wake up today that guy can’t beat me but I don’t know what happened. We were not meant for that tour. That to me is my saddest moment for now.
How do you combine tennis with education?
It has not been easy but I completed my secondary school last year. This year I want to really do well in this tournament so I can get good points that will help me get admission in High school hopefully in the USA. If things work out well, I will be going to continue with my education and career in the USA.
In concrete terms what do you want to achieve in tennis in future?
I am always thinking of being the first player in Nigeria to make the major breakthrough. Even if I make just an appearance in a Grand Slam like the US Open, I will be satisfied. I know that will motivate other Nigerians to come support tennis and really play the game. Nigerians may start playing in the ATF and stuffs. Since the likes of Nduka Odizor, no one has ever done it again. It has never happened again. If it can happen, it will be a very big breakthrough for Nigeria.
Who is your role model among the world renowned tennis players?
I have Juan Martin del Potro. He is from a wealthy family but he is a really good player. On a good day he can beat any player in the world. I know he is not the number one but his style of play is what matters to me.