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When Manav Thakkar competed at the 2023 edition of the WTT Contender Lagos, he never envisaged what would happen. Despite his round of 16 exit, the tournament marked the beginning of his rise in the world rankings.
Already listed for the 2024 edition of the first WTT Series in Sub-Saharan Africa, the 24-year-old is eagerly looking for another stroke of luck in the commercial nerve center of Nigeria, as the tournament kicks off from June 19 to 23 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.
“As of today, I’m ranked 59th in the world, but last year I was 140th before the 2023 WTT Contender Lagos, and Lagos was the first event where I reached the round of 16 after defeating higher-ranked players.
Apart from my ranking, my level improved... So this year, I am also very hopeful that I will perform well,” he said.
The former U-21 World No. 1 star described his first experience in Lagos as one of the best moments in his career, particularly in terms of the massive support from Lagos fans.
“The experience compared to other tournaments was very good for me. I enjoyed the food in Lagos. There were many varieties, and I also received a lot of support from the people during my matches. These were the major factors that helped me perform well in the event last year.
“The unique aspect of the event in Lagos is the food and the people. There is some traffic in Lagos, and there is also traffic in India, so I am used to it. People cheered for every player during the matches, and we players enjoyed playing compared to other events. The food, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, was also good. I remember the hotel used to serve us a special Indian dish every day, and the people in Lagos were very friendly and helpful,” Thakkar added.
This year, Thakkar is optimistic about surpassing his round of 16 performance from 2023.
“My expectation this year is to win medals in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. I am really excited and looking forward to playing at the event in Lagos,” said the right-handed shakehand grip star.
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