Gateway Games 2024: Oyinlomo Quadre eyes glory, growth at National Sports Festival

At just 21, Oyinlomo Quadre is already a household name in Nigeria’s tennis circle.

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Now US-based and transitioning toward a full professional career, she returns home for the National Sports Festival with clear intentions: win gold for Team Delta and reconnect with the place that shaped her.

Quadre, who enters the women’s tennis draw as the top seed, sees this moment as a competitive and deeply personal milestone.

For the former national junior standout, Gateway Games 2024 is not just another tournament—it is a reunion with familiar faces and formative experiences.

“Very nice. It’s a very nice atmosphere,” she told PREMIUM TIMES, reflecting on her return.

“Actually, the last time I played at home was the National Sports Festival when Delta was hosting. So, every time I come for this tournament, it just makes me feel closer to my roots.”

Born in Nigeria and now studying and training in the US, Quadre remains grounded in the relationships she formed during her early playing days.

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Many of her current competitors have grown alongside her, and the sense of continuity resonates deeply.

“Almost all these players, I’ve been playing the same tournaments like them. And it’s very nice to see how much they’ve grown,” she added.

“Also, the aunties; because a lot of them have had very long-lasting careers, they practically watched me growing up. It’s also nice to see them again. It just feels more special when you’re home.”

Despite the nostalgia, Quadre’s focus remains firmly on performance. Representing Delta—the defending champions in tennis—she is singular in her objective.

“I’m here to win it. That’s my target,” she stated bluntly.

Although she hasn’t competed locally since the festival’s last edition, Quadre says she is ready to face whatever challenge comes her way.

“I can’t think of anyone right now,” she admitted.

“The last time I played was the last festival. Even if there are faces that I recognise, I don’t really know what level they’re in right now. So, I cannot say for sure. Of course, I’m here to play like I usually do.”

Off the court, 2025 is shaping to be a critical year for the former African junior champion.

Quadre recently transferred from Florida International University to the University of Oklahoma, aligning her collegiate tennis schedule with her long-term professional goals.

“It has been really good. I recently made some big changes, transferred to another school. I have one more year in school before I go fully pro. This is a very important year for me,” she said.

“Oklahoma has a very tough schedule. They’re top ten in the country. And I’m planning on transitioning. It’s really important that I play way better matches and all that.

“So basically, I’m just thinking about my future plans. That’s why I moved from a place that would have been regarded as very nice; Miami, to Oklahoma.”

With her eyes on building form, confidence, and consistency, Quadre is taking a strategic approach to her development.

“I’m hoping to improve a lot of aspects of my game. And I’m also trying to get as much match wins as I can in the SEC Conference.”

Back in Nigeria for the festival, the enthusiasm of the home crowd has already left an impression.

READ ALSO: Top seed Christopher Bulus eyes Tennis gold at Gateway Games

“Right now, I’ve been here not even up to 24 hours, basically. But I feel like it’s nice.
It’s been so long since I saw such a crowd watching tennis, basically.

“I would see them watch other sports, but not tennis. And it’s really nice to see how much they appreciate tennis in these festivals.”

As the Gateway Games progress, Quadre stands at a meaningful intersection—representing her state, honouring her beginnings, and sharpening her form ahead of a decisive leap toward the global professional stage.