The name Michael Okopi resonates excellence, hard work, dedication and true success. The Ex-national and international tennis player ruled Nigerian tennis in his prime before a career- threatening injury punctuated his flow or rhythm.
Unlike many players, Okopi started playing tennis at the age of six at Apapa club, Lagos, Nigeria, where he has played so many tournaments both Junior and Seniors and won all the Junior tournaments in his time, such as Milo, Alhaji Adejumo, Professor Eric Opia, Terris burger, Unipetrol, Okada junior, Junior masters amongst others.
He was the under 12, 14, 16, and 18 champion in Nigeria. The Idoma, Benue State born tennis star played in all the Senior tournaments such as Gulder all Nigeria, CBN, Dala hard court, Asaba, Okada Benin, Kaduna clay court, Ibadan clay court, BCC, Governor’s cup, Port-Harcourt open to mention a few. Okopi also played in Milo Senior Masters and won a couple of Senior national tournaments as well.
The former tennis player now turned coach, competed within and outside the country before his tennis career was truncated due to injury in 2010, which was when he began his coaching career.
He has though since started excelling as a coach, to reveal his passion for coaching, which he has always aspired to become after retirement.
Today, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Kinetics and Health Education from University of Lagos.
Meanwhile, after coaching for some years, his quest for excellence and to be the best lead him to get international certification. He is PTR and ITF certified coach.
As a coach, he has coached and worked with players like Daniel Adeleye, Seun Peter Ogunsakin, Alisha Ndukwu, Bright Emmanuel, David Ekpeyong, Wilson Igbinovia, Christopher Bulus amongst others.
In his career as a coach he has worked with the likes of coach Rotimi Akinloye, who is the Technical Director Nigeria Tennis Federation. He has also worked with coach Mohammed Ubale, Junior National coach, Nigeria Tennis Federation.
Coach Benson Ishicheli, Davis cup captain.
Okopi has taken players for tournaments within and outside the country. His undeniable contributions to tennis in Nigeria has seen him hold some positions in Nigeria Tennis Federation.
He was Assistant Junior national coach and also Assistant Davis cup captain.
He was a member Professional Tennis Coaches Association of Nigeria (PITCAN).
He received the following honors or recognition from Lagos State Tennis Association. Grassroot developmental coach of the year 2023 PITCAN outstanding coach of the year 2022 NTF Hall of fame 2022 amongst others.
