Afiemo
From the concrete courts of Lagos to college awards in the UK and a flourishing NCAA career in the U.S., Oyinlomo Quadre is proving that talent, resilience and belief can defy all odds. She’s not just a player—she’s a movement.
Oyinlomo’s love for tennis began at age 4, learning from her older siblings and inspired by her father’s small tennis shop in Lagos. Her raw potential quickly blossomed into elite junior performances earning her multiple ITF Grade 4 and 5 titles across West Africa.
Despite financial and visa hurdles, she pushed forward—training at high-performance centers abroad and staying committed to her dream of making it on the global stage.
According to a report from Nigeria Tennis Live, the 21-year-old sensation has just been crowned with a UK College Player Award, a prestigious honour given for exceptional collegiate performance. It’s the latest in a string of achievements that’s turning Oyinlomo from a rising talent into a national icon.
Her latest accolade recognizes more than just wins—it celebrates her work ethic, leadership, and undeniable impact on the court.
Quadre is now an Oklahoma University Student (she made the switch from Florida International University FIU) but as a key player for Florida International University in the U.S. she had the below records.
- First player in FIU history to be named both Conference USA Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year.
- Delivered a remarkable 16–2 singles record and powered through a 13-match win streak during the 2022–2023 season.
- Recently advanced to the ITA Conference Masters semifinals, securing a place at the NCAA Individual Championships.
While playing for Team Delta in the just concluded National Sports Festival the 22 yr old player and former world number 93 junior ITF tennis sensation, won the only gold medals Team Delta had in tennis, thus bringing her total haul at the Sports Festival to 10 gold medals across three editions.
Quadre a prior winner of six gold medals across two festivals, was the odds-on favourite to win in every event she participated in – Women’s Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles and Team, and she did not disappoint.
Not in the recent history of tennis in Nigeria has there been any player so consistent on the national stage to come up with ten gold medals across different editions of the Sports Festival while still being quite young.
More than medals, Oyinlomo dreams of making history. She hopes to inspire a new generation of African girls in tennis, carving a path similar to her idols Serena Williams and Roger Federer.
Her sights are firmly set on one day lifting a Grand Slam trophy, not just for herself—but for Nigeria and the entire African continent.
This latest recognition isn’t just another plaque on the wall—it signals that Oyinlomo Quadre is on the radar. As Nigeria’s top-ranked female player, with a career-high WTA ranking of No. 940 and an ITF junior high of No. 128, she’s already among the continent’s elite.
Combined with her dominance at FIU and international presence, the UK award confirms what we already knew Oyinlomo is the real deal.
However, the question remains will she continue her NCAA dominance this year? Can she break into the WTA top 500 soon? Is a Grand Slam debut just around the corner?
Whatever happens, one thing’s clear: Barakat Oyinlomo Quadre is just getting started.
