The Tennis Europe Junior Masters is the season-ending championship of the U14 circuit of the Tennis Europe Junior Tour. The event was organized by the European Tennis Association (ETA), now known as Tennis Europe. The event has been organized by the Monégasque Tennis Federation ever since 2021, when it began being held in Monte Carlo.[1][2]
| Tennis Europe Junior Masters | |
|---|---|
| Status | active |
| Genre | sports event |
| Date(s) | lateyear |
| Frequency | annual |
| Inaugurated | 1996 |
| Organised by | European Tennis Association (ETA) |
It is the most significant tennis event in the U14 circuit of the Tennis Europe calendar year after the five Super Categories and the European Junior Championships, as it features the top eight boys and girls in the under-14 and under-16 categories based on their results throughout the season.[3][4] Future world No. 1s Kim Clijsters and Rafael Nadal capped their best seasons on the U14 circuit by winning the event in 1997 and 2000 respectively, while players such as Andy Murray, Alexander Zverev, Simona Halep and Belinda Bencic are all former medalists.[2][5]
History edit
The season-ending Junior Masters was launched in 1996 with the purpose of rewarding the best-performing players of the year.[2][5] The Masters officially brings the season to an end, and features the six best European players of both the U14 and U16 circuits based on that season's rankings, plus the finalists of the European Junior Championships.[2][6] Reggio Calabria hosted the event until 2021, when it began being held on the clay courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club, also home to the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Monte-Carlo, under the High Patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.[2][1] From 2023, four Junior Masters players are selected to receive a once-in-a-lifetime stay at the Red Bull Athlete Performance Centre, where they will have a unique opportunity to hone their performance and potential.[6]
The Masters, which has worldwide media coverage and is seen as the scouting event for future stars, is broadcast on national television in Monaco and live-streamed online.[5] In 2022, Alena Kovačková became the first player to finish at No. 1 in both Race Rankings age categories. She ultimately chose to play in the U16 competition (which she won), giving the ninth-ranked player of the girls’ U14 list a spot in the event.[5]
Format edit
The 2023 edition featured a revised format, adopting a round-robin phase in line with the ATP and WTA Finals. The eight qualifiers are separated into two groups of four, ensuring three live matches before the two group winners face off in the grand final.[7]
Results edit
Tennis Europe Junior Masters 14 & Under edit
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European Junior Championships 16 & Under edit
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See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b "The Monte-Carlo Country Club will host the Tennis Europe Junior Masters". www.hellomonaco.com. 15 September 2021. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "30 years of the Tennis Europe Junior Tour". www.kungenskanna.com. 10 October 2020. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- ^ "Tennis Europe Junior Masters Monte-Carlo". www.visitmonaco.com. 10 October 2022. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- ^ "Tennis Europe Junior Masters". www.mccc.mc. 16 October 2023. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Junior Masters players revealed". www.tenniseurope.org. 10 October 2022. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- ^ a b "2023 Tennis Europe Junior Masters". www.tenniseurope.org. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- ^ "Monte-Carlo to host the Junior Masters until 2025". www.tenniseurope.org. 12 April 2023. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.