Seynabou Mendy interview on tennis at Dakar 2026 YOG, Senegal; 2025 Billie Jean King Cup rep

Discovering tennis with national champion Seynabou Mendy

Tennis is featured on the engagement sports program for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG). It is one of the oldest disciplines in the Modern Games, having featured in the very first edition in Athens in 1896. An interview with Seynabou Mendy, a professional tennis player based in Dakar.

During the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, scheduled from October 31 to November 3, ten engagement sports have been selected to allow the general public to discover and try them out. Among them is tennis.

A wonderful opportunity to bring this sport closer to young people, families and communities across the country, as tennis – particularly women’s tennis, with few female players on the international circuits – remains a niche sport. Seynabou Mendy, a professional player, tells us about her passion for tennis, her career, the essential rules of the game and her most memorable moments.

How did your journey with tennis begin, and what has your career path been like?

I started playing tennis at the age of 5, playing on my coach’s terrace. However, it was at the age of 7 that I really began to take up the sport. I was national champion in the under-10s, under-12s and under-14s categories. I also represented Senegal at the Billie Jean King Cup – the equivalent of the Women’s Tennis World Cup – in 2025 in Rwanda with the women’s national team.

Why did you choose tennis over another sport?

My older brother plays tennis. Ever since I was very young, he’s taken me along to play with him, which made me want to take up the sport.

What are the basic rules a beginner needs to know?

In tennis, the first point of a game is always played on the right-hand side. When serving, the ball must not bounce before being struck. During a rally, the ball may only bounce once on the player’s side of the court before being returned.

How does a typical tennis match unfold and how are points scored?

A tennis match is usually played over two winning sets. In men’s Grand Slam tournaments, matches are played over three winning sets.

Points are scored as follows: first point: 15; second point: 30; third point: 40, then game. If the score is tied at 40–40, the player who wins two consecutive points wins the game. To win a set, a player must win six games by a margin of two games. If the score reaches 6–6, a tie-break is played, usually to seven points with a two-point margin.

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What equipment is essential for taking up tennis?

The necessary equipment is a racket, balls, suitable shoes and sportswear.

Is this equipment easily accessible?

Honestly, no, because it’s expensive.

What factors should you consider when choosing your first tennis racket?

When choosing a tennis racket, there are several factors to consider: the player’s age, their level of play, the racket’s size and its weight.

Where can you find accessible tennis courts?

In Senegal, you can play tennis on several accessible courts, notably at the Dakar Tennis Club (TCD), the Olympique Club and the University Tennis Sports Association (ASTU).

How do you adapt your equipment to suit the surface or the weather?

To adapt my equipment, I mainly adjust the tension of my strings. I also choose my shoes according to the surface I’m playing on, as well as suitable clothing.

Clay, hard court or grass: which do you prefer and why?

I prefer playing on hard courts, as that’s the type of surface I’m most used to playing on.

In your opinion, what are the essential mental qualities needed to improve at tennis?

The main qualities of a tennis player are resilience, never giving up, perseverance and self-confidence.

Which tournament or match memory has left the deepest impression on you?

The match that left the deepest impression on me was the final of the under-12s category that I played at the Olympique Club. I won that match in a hard-fought third set, in a super tie-break. It’s a memory that will stay with me forever.

Activities centered around engagement sports will take place at the Place du Souvenir Africain, located on the Dakar West Corniche. This iconic site in the Senegalese capital will host all the sports and cultural events during the Dakar 2026 YOG.

Registrations for the official Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games ticketing are open: https: