Under the fiery midday sun at the Lugogo Tennis Complex, cheers erupted as 17-year-old Abdul Latif Ssendyowa lifted the trophy for the 2025 Plascon-sponsored U18 Uganda Tennis Open.
With a powerful swing and calculated agility, he had just edged out a formidable opponent, Sebbi Muzamil, to claim the title again.
“This is my second time to win the Juniors U18 tournament, and I’m happy for this achievement,” Latif said with a grin that barely masked the fatigue etched on his face.
“To beat my opponent, I had to be aggressive, make him move corner to corner. In the end, he got tired, and I capitalized.”
But victory didn’t come overnight nor did Latif’s love for tennis begin with a racket in hand. It started during the silence of a pandemic.
“I was playing football with friends during the COVID period,” he recalls. “That’s when I met a gentleman named Mr. Akram. He introduced me to tennis and pledged to teach me.”
True to his word, Mr. Akram helped open a new chapter in Latif’s life, one driven by discipline, footwork and an unwavering spirit.
The boy who once chased footballs in the dusty fields of Kampala now slices shots across court lines with calculated precision.
Latif hails from Kibuli Secondary School and sharpens his skills under the mentorship of the Tennis4All Academy in Kololo, a nurturing ground for Uganda’s rising tennis talent.
His journey hasn’t been without hurdles. Like many promising young athletes, he faces challenges off the court.
“I need some rackets and new body equipment like shoes, all that tennis requires,” he admits candidly. “Sometimes it’s tough keeping up when you don’t have what you need.”
Yet he remains undeterred. Beyond the trophies and headlines, Latif sees tennis as a sanctuary.
“It’s a game of friendship. It helps me refresh my mind.”
Looking ahead, he sets his sights beyond Uganda’s borders.
“I am looking forward to the ITF and want to put up a great performance,” he said with quiet determination, hinting at a fire that burns brighter with every match he plays.
