Cameroon's Nkwain wins first ATP point

Cameroon's Cliford Wuyum Nkwain achieved the milestone of earning his first ATP point, making him the first player from his African nation to do so since 2007. The feat got his name into the ATP rankings as well, at No. 1,744.

The 19-year-old was competing in just his second-ever professional event, a $25,000 ITF Futures in Cameroon. He beat Marko Stosic in three sets after going through the qualifying draw.

The teen's tennis career had humble beginnings. As a child, he watched players on local courts on his walks to school in Bamenda. He would later stumble upon link-placeholder-0 while visiting a friend. OTA founding president, Joseph Oyebog allowed the then-13-year-old Nkwain to live and learn at the academy without any financial burden on his large family back home.

The highest-ranked player in Cameroon, Nkwain will next look to compete in more pro tournaments around the world.

"I wish to take this opportunity to thank all my coaches for their guidance and training, The Founding President Mr. Joseph Oyebog for giving me a chance to chase my dreams to become a professional tennis player," Nkwain said in a statement. "Most importantly, I would like to thank Sunny Sherman and the entire OTA USA Board for all their support, encouragement and belief throughout my journey and for OTA."

The OTA is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 by Oyebog, a former pro and Davis Cup player. OTA’s mission is to improve the lives of underprivileged children in Cameroon through the sport of tennis. Since its founding, OTA has introduced over 10,000 children to tennis, giving them not only tennis skills, but life skills as well. Through OTA over 10,000 children have had their lives impacted in a positive way, and 20 of these players have obtained college scholarships or coaching positions in the U.S. and Europe.

ATP Cordoba: Mon - Sun, 2/4 - 2/10

Starting Monday, 2/4 at 1:30 p.m. ET, catch live coverage of the Cordoba Open featuring top seeds Fabio Fognini and Diego Schwartzman.

ATP Montpellier: Tue - Sun, 2/5 - 2/10

Watch Lucas Pouille, Denis Shapovalov and Gilles Simon live on Tennis Channel Plus beginning Tuesday, 2/5 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

USTA Men's Pro Circuit – Dallas: Mon - Sun, 2/4 - 2/10

Tennis Channel Plus features live coverage of USTA Dallas matches beginning Monday, 2/4 12:00 p.m. ET

Fed Cup Quarterfinals: Sat - Sun, 2/9 - 2/10

Tennis Channel Plus is your home for Fed Cup action! Watch first to last ball action beginning at 7:00 a.m. ET on Saturday, 2/9