This year’s 14 & Under ITF/Tennis Europe Development Championships have drawn to a close in Antalya, Türkiye. The Championships offered players from ‘Tier 1’ nations the opportunity to participate in two consecutive Category 2 events, with their costs fully covered by ITF and Tennis Europe.
Kaan Isik Kosaner (TUR) dominated both tournaments on home soil. He breezed through the first week but had to fight harder during the final. Facing compatriot and doubles partner Mustafa Ege Sik, he secured the championship after an intense three-set victory 7-5 6-7(5) 6-3. With the right boost of confidence, Kosaner continued his wins streak throughout the second week as well. He played the final against Bulgarian Dimitar Topchiyski and won in straight sets, 6-1 6-2. These fresh titles will help Kosaner in his Race to Monte-Carlo, where he’s currently ranked #3.
Boys Doubles:
Week 1 – Kaan Isik Kosaner & Mustafa Ege Sik (TUR) def. Vuk Krstajic & Pavle Vukosaljevic 6-4 4-6 10-3
As for the girls, Zumra Balkan (TUR) didn’t concede a set during the first tournament. First seed and one of home’s favourites, she didn’t let her guard down at any point and won the title following the final against Sara Mitevska (MKD) with a score of 6-2 6-2. Tea Kovacevic (BIH) got her rematch against Balkan in the second semifinal they played. Even if Balkan won the first one easily, 6-4 6-2, Kovacevic came back from one set down and advanced to the week 2 final. She didn’t have the advantage in the beginning of the final either, but once again she put herself together and won against Lia Belibova (MDA) 2-6 6-2 10-6.
Girls Doubles:
Week 1 – Zumra Balkan & Melis Yildrim (TUR) def. Tea Kovacevic & Eda-Lara Sacirovic (BIH) retired
Alongside the main event, a 12 & Under Training Camp run by ITF coach Goran Shevchenko was held for 10 boys and 10 girls from the same nations. They also had the chance to put into practice their new knowledge at a 12 & Under Junior Tour tournament. Of the 20 players, home representatives Bekir Devran Esendagli (TUR) and Duru Arslan (TUR) were the ones who proudly took home the gold medals.
Also held during the week was a special session of the Junior School, where the eager youngsters learned about the tennis family, periodisation and scheduling.
One of Tennis Europe’s flagship development activities, the Championships were first held in 1996 and are devised to provide top-level playing opportunities for the most promising talents from emerging tennis nations in Europe. Former competitors over the years include the likes of Jelena Ostapenko, Simona Halep, Marcos Baghdatis and Grigor Dimitrov. This year’s event marked the 12th occasion that the activities have been hosted by the Turkish Tennis Federation.
For full results from the Championships, please click here (Week 1) and here (Week 2). | 📸 Photo Gallery.