Nigeria’s tennis prodigy, Marylove set for Mouratoglu academy in France

HER life has been shaped for greatness by nature. With such prodigious talent as some of the best young stars around the world, Marylove Edwards has shown in such a young age that given the right tutelage she will reach for the stars.

That is exactly what has started happening for the 15- year- old tennis prodigy, who has now been offered the opportunity to train for one week at the world famous Mouratoglu Tennis Academy in France.

That is the same academy that trained the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, to stardom.

Sponsored by TY Danjuma Foundation, Edwards is expected to train with the best coaches in the game for one week, before returning to start her residency in the academy.

Speaking to The Guardian at the weekend, an elated Edwards said training at the academy would give her the opportunity to train with the best facilities in the sport, adding, “it is a stepping stone to becoming a professional.”

Edwards is the first and only Nigerian to get the opportunity of training at the Mouratoglu Academy, which had been home to many of the world’s leading tennis stars.

She said, “I am so excited because in France, I will meet some of the best trainers in the game.

“Anybody that wants to be a professional has to play against the best in the sport and mixing with the best young talents in France will give me that exposure and experience my career needs to grow. It will help me take my tennis to a new level.”

The teenager, who won the Lagos Open Tennis Championship last year and also played in the final of the CBN Open, is currently being trained by her father. She is now looking beyond the Nigerian scene.

“I want to play in the WTA ( Women’s Tennis Association) soon. That will be a big achievement for me. I could be Nigeria’s first Grand Slam winner in history and who knows, maybe become champion of the world.”

Edwards, who said she is focused on emulating the great Serena Williams, has been privileged to play against players older and more experienced than her in the local scene.