The Tennis Europe Junior Tour Players of the Year have been revealed.
The accolade is given to the top-ranked European 14 and 16 & Under players at the end of the season, according to the Race to Monte-Carlo ranking, plus a range of other recipients selected for their achievements on the Tour throughout the year.
The four year-end #1s also receive a one week stay at the world renowned Mouratoglou Academy on the French Riviera, to be taken during 2022.
Former recipients of the award include Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Martina Hingis, Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin, all world #1s. For more information about the winners, check our social media channels and see their acceptance messages below.
LAURA SAMSONOVA (CZE) - GIRLS 14 & UNDER
Consistency throughout the year rewarded Laura with a 37/8 win/loss record, four doubles and four singles titles, including the Junior Masters and back-to-back Category 1 wins in La Baule and Paris. Accepting her award, she told us, “This year has been full of many good tournaments and many good matches, and one of the best was Monte Carlo, Junior Masters. I’d like to thank my family, my coaches, my sponsors and everyone who has been supporting me throughout this whole year, because it was one of my best years… to be named one of the top players, I’m very happy about that, so thank you all so much!”
MAXIM MRVA (CZE) - BOYS 14 & UNDER
Mrva’s 37 singles match wins in 2021 included two Super Category titles - Les Petits As and Khimki. He also excelled in doubles, winning the gold medal at the European Championships in Most, plus a first 16 & Under title, also at home in Jablonec nad Nisou.
Reviewing his season, Mrva said, “The best feeling was after winning Les Petits As. I would like to thank my coach and my family [for the fact] that I can take part in so many tournaments.”
MARIIA MASIIANSKAIA (RUS) - GIRLS 16 & UNDER
Still just 14 years of age, Masiianskaia focused on playing up in 2021, with breath-taking results, particularly in the second half of the season, when she won 7 singles titles culminating with the Junior Masters in Monte-Carlo. She said, “I’m really proud and thankful to be named Player of the Year. The beginning (of the year) wasn’t good, but I continued working through this tough time with my team. I started playing more matches and more tournaments, and I set myself the goal of playing in the Junior Masters. I worked a lot and the results showed, so the best moment of the year was for sure winning the Junior Masters. I want to thank my parents, my coach and all my team for this year and I hope the next one will be even better.”
TOMASZ BERKIETA (POL) - BOYS 16 & UNDER
Berkieta spent most of the season in pole position of the Race to Monte-Carlo and won three doubles and four singles titles including the Category 1 in Vic, Spain, as well as claiming the bronze medal at the Junior Masters.
Reacting to the news, he told us, “I would like to thank Tennis Europe for awarding me the Player of the Year award. It’s a great honour for me, especially because this year the Polish Tennis Association is celebrating its 100th anniversary! Many thanks to my family and my team and anyone who was part of the success. Thank you very much to my partners and sponsors for supporting me. My goals for the next season are mostly to play ITF tournaments, but I will always remember Tennis Europe.”
EGOR GORIN & EGOR PLESHIVTSEV (RUS) - DOUBLES TEAM OF THE YEAR
The Two Egors, Gorin and Pleshivtsev teamed up sporadically throughout the season, winning four titles together in two age categories. Both players also won events with other partners, notably Pleshivtsev, who added another three events with compatriot Timofey Derepasko. The three Russians also went unbeaten in Summer Cups doubles action.
JAMIE MACKENZIE (NZL) - OVERSEAS PLAYER OF THE YEAR (BOYS)
The 13-year-old New Zealander ended the season ranked 34th with nine events. His silverware collection included three doubles titles (notably the Super category event in Maia) and a singles runner-up spot in Renningen/Rutesheim.
ZARA DARKEN (KAZ) - OVERSEAS PLAYER OF THE YEAR (GIRLS)
Finishing the year in the 14 & Under Top 20 was a major achievement for Zara, who won one singles and one doubles title, reaching three further doubles finals.
RUSSIA GIRLS 14 & UNDER - NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR
In a summer of impressive performances, one team stood out above all others. The Russian 14&U girls’ team went unbeaten in winning the Summer Cups title before going on to claim the World Junior Tennis in Prostejov, establishing a 30-3 win/loss record in the process.
Alina Korneeva, Mirra Andreeva and Daria Egorova provided the firepower under the watchful eye of coach Alexander Krasnorutskiy.
For a full list of previous Players of the Year, click here. | 📷 2021 winners Photo Gallery