Teams from 10 member nations are in Antalya, Turkey, to participate in two back-to-back Junior Tour events known as the 14 & Under ITF/Tennis Europe Development Championships.
The Championships are closed Category 2 events for players from Tier 1 Development Eligibility nations, and also incorporate a range of other development activities including a 12 & Under Training Camp.
Almost 70 players have been able to take advantage of the unique opportunity to play and train with teams from other nations, with all expenses paid by the European Assistance Budget. They have been joined by 27 coaches, 10 of whom are female coaches, participating through the equal opportunity programme introduced by ITF & Tennis Europe to cover the expenses of an additional female coach.
The events are being hosted by the Turkish Tennis Federation at the Mega Saray Tennis Academy for a third consecutive year. ITF Development Officer for Europe Vitor Cabral said, “The previous Development Championships took place in March 2020, just before the pandemic. We are delighted to be back here in 2021, and to show that it is possible to support our member nations with these important events offering players from Tier 1 countries the chance to earn important international playing experience and Junior Tour ranking points.”
Following the opening ceremony, the teams joined Mr. Cabral in a moment of silence to commemorate the victims of the pandemic. The Development Championships are played under strict health protocols in line with Junior Tour rules. Teams from Albania, Armenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Turkey are taking part.
Amongst the past participants of the Championships are world-class professionals including the likes of Simona Halep, Jelena Ostapenko, Grigor Dimitrov and Marcos Baghdatis.
To follow the latest results from Antalya, please click here.