United States-based Nigerian tennis prodigy, Christopher Bulus, has won his first senior national title after defeating Daniel Adeleye, in the men’s singles final at the 2025 Rainoil National Tennis Open in Lagos.

Bulus, who flew into the country from South Africa, where he represented Nigeria at the Davis Cup, was a clear favourite to win the competition despite not having a national ranking.

And even though he won in two straight sets against Davis Cup compatriots, Bulus was made to fight for every point that he got before winning 6-0, 6-4.

Apart from winning a giant trophy, the Kaduna-born tennis youngster also went home with the N2 million prize money for the men’s singles winner.

In the women’s singles, Nigeria’s number one female tennis player, Khadijat Mohammed, fought back against long-time rival, Bright Emmanuel, to win her second consecutive senior national title and third overall.

The Abuja-based youngster was down in the first set after trailing 6-7. She, however, got better in the second and final sets as she won 6-4, 6-3 to deny her opponent a first senior national title.

Mohammed, who has been on the ascendancy in the seniors for two years, has consolidated her rating as one of Nigeria’s most impressive tennis youngsters. She was rewarded with N1.5 million, as well as, a giant winner’s trophy for her efforts.
The Group Managing Director of Rainoil, Dr. Gabriel Ogbeche, in his remarks at the finale, which was held at the tennis section of Ikoyi Club 1938, noted that the return of the tournament is a great delight to his organisation.

“We are already looking forward to the 2026 edition, which we believe will be bigger and better than this year’s event,” he said.

https://guardian.ng/sport/tennis/u-s-based-bulus-wins-2025-rainoil-tennis-open/