Nduka Odizor

Nduka Odizor in our words

is one of the former tennis players from Nigeria; he was born on 28 August 1958 in Lagos. He plays right-handed, won the 1983 Taipei title, reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in 1983 and represented Nigeria at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul and in the Davis Cup from 1986 to 1993. In June 1984, Nduka was ranked 52nd in the ATP singles world ranking, the highest he was ever ranked, and he reached No. 20 in doubles.

From Lagos to the world

Nduka Odizor was born in Lagos on 28 August 1958. A right-hander with an attacking game, he became the first Nigerian to make a real mark on the professional tour.

1983 and 1984: the peak

In 1983 he reached the fourth round of Wimbledon and won his only tour singles title in Taipei, beating American Scott Davis 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in the final. By June 1984 he was No. 52 in the world in singles, and in August 1984 he reached No. 20 in doubles, a format in which he won seven tour titles.

Playing for Nigeria

Odizor was the leader of the Nigerian Davis Cup team from 1986 to 1993, winning 20 of 33 rubbers across 11 ties, beginning with the 1986 side that won the Africa Zone. He also represented Nigeria at the 1988 Seoul Olympics alongside Tony Mmoh and Sadiq Abdullahi.