The 2023 Tennis Europe Junior Masters took place at the Monte-Carlo Country Club from 2-5 November. The round-robin competition sees Europe's top-performing boys and girls aged 14 and 16 & Under face off in a battle for one of the most prestigious titles in junior tennis. Previous champions include Rafa Nadal, Kim Clijsters, Alex Zverev and Belinda Bencic.
⬇️ Scroll down for match reports, interviews, news and social media chatter on the tournament blog.
Draws & Important Links
Boys 14 & Under - Group A | Group B
Girls 14 & Under - Group A | Group B
Boys 16 & Under - Group A | Group B
Girls 16 & Under - Group A | Group B
📸 Photo Gallery | Player Profiles | Roll of Honour
📺 Live Scores & Streaming available on the Junior Tour app. Download now: Apple | Android.
Latest News from Monte-Carlo: Day 4
05.11.23 - 19:30 - MEET THE CHAMPIONS
That's a wrap for another year from the Junior Masters. We leave you with the traditional pic of our four winners, left to right Jana Kovackova (CZE), Jeline Vandromme (BEL), Kolos Kincses (HUN) and Daniel Jade (FRA), courtesy of photographer Richard Van Loon (toptennis.photos). Don't forget to check our extensive gallery of images from throughout the event, and for a final update tomorrow morning.
05.11.23 - 18:50 - MISCHA ZVEREV: "THE WHOLE JUNIOR TOUR IS IMPROVING"
Former ATP Top 30 star Mischa Zverev (pictured, right, talking with Tennis Europe CEO Thomas Hammerl) visited the Junior Masters for a second consecutive year, having commented for Tennis Channel on the 2022 edition. Having seen some of the players in action, he was full of praise for the event:
“It’s beautiful to see that tennis is evolving,” he told us. “The kids are getting better every year, but also the tournaments are getting better, and the whole junior tour is improving and the standard is really going up a notch every time I come back here. The players appreciate it, as do the parents and coaches. And its good for the sport: its great for them to be playing in Monaco on such a prestigious court with a lot of history, where Rafa has won more than ten times and that’s great motivation for them.”
05.11.23 - 18:15 - SOME WORDS FROM THE CHAMPION...
05.11.23 - 18:00 - VANDROMME SECURES UNIQUE DOUBLE
Jeline Vandromme of Belgium continued her spectacular arrival on the international tennis scene by beating Gala Ivanovic (SRB) to win the Junior Masters title. In doing so, she became the first girl in over a decade to win Tennis Europe’s two most prestigious 16 & Under titles in the same year (Sara Sorribes last achieved the feat in 2012).
Vandromme was in a class of her own in the early stages, racing to the first set 6-0 with a flurry of winners that left the crowd in doubt of her prodigious talent. A resilient Ivanovic remained stoic where other players may have panicked, breaking immediately to start the second set and retaining her advantage until serving to level the match at 5-4.
With the finish line in sight, Vandromme reasserted her authority, breaking twice in a row to win the last three games and secure a 6-0 7-5 win.
Vandromme remains unbeaten in singles play at individual events on the Tennis Europe Junior Tour. Having restricted her play mainly to domestic events, she first drew attention by sweeping to the European Championships title in Parma in September. Her Masters victory – without the loss of a set – is the first for a Belgian girl since former world #1 Kim Clijsters won in 1997.
While Ivanovic will be disappointed, the third seed can be proud of a season in which she earned three titles from five finals, and was one of four players from her nation to qualify for the elite event.
05.11.23 - 17:15 - KINCSES INTERVIEW
The 16 & Under champion talked to us on Instagram about his win...
05.11.23 - 16:15 - PLAYERS TO VISIT ATHLETE PERFORMANCE CENTRE
Four Masters players have been specially selected by representatives from the Athlete Performance Centre to receive a one-week stay with their coach at the professional sports institute in Salzburg, Austria, where they will have a unique opportunity to hone their performance and potential.
The recipients are Soffie Hettlerova (CZE, pictured, with Tennis Europe CEO Thomas Hammerl), Barbara Kostecka (POL), Daniel Jade (FRA) and Jan Sadzik (POL). Congrats to all!
05.11.23 - 15:50 - KINCSES CLAIMS 16 & UNDER BOYS' TITLE
Hungary’s Kolos Kincses picked up his biggest title to date with a convincing win over rival Linus Lagerbohm in the Boys 16 & Under final.
Lagerbohm held a 5-2 advantage in the first set before the second seed hit his stride, winning eight of the next nine games to take the first set on a tie break and establish a double break lead in the second. Both players hit some spectacular winners in gusty conditions on the fabled centre court of the Monte-Carlo Country Club.
The win levelled their head-to-head at one match apiece, giving the Hungarian a measure of revenge for his loss in the second round of the European Championships in Parma in September, when he was forced to retire during the deciding set.
That win was the start of an impressive run for Finland's Lagerbohm, who upset a series of seeds on his way to the silver medal, clinching him a spot in Monte-Carlo. Kincses meanwhile has been close to the top of the Race to Masters leaderboard for most of the season, picking up titles in Budapest and Vic, and posting a runner-up spot at the Super Category Avvenire tournament.
He becomes the third Hungarian boy to win the 16&U title, following Mate Zsiga in 2008 and Mate Valkusz, a two-time champion (2013-2014).
05.11.23 - 13:45 - DARREN CAHILL: "THE LEVEL IS FANTASTIC"
Among the famous faces on site for the finals is supercoach Darren Cahill, who was visiting the event for the first time and was impressed by the tournament and the level of play. He told us, “It’s fascinating to see some of the best 14 and 16 & unders in the world playing for something so special, with the ‘Race’ format, which is similar to what we have on the ATP and WTA. The Race format is great, because everybody starts at zero at the beginning of the year and it gives you a target to shoot for. Even on the ATP, by Wimbledon, you don’t worry so much about the actual ranking, you focus on the Race because that’s the most important goal. These kids are shooting for a chance to play at this special venue against the best, so it’s a wonderful concept.”
He continued, “The players are great. It’s amazing how much every generation improves. They’re sliding all over the place, hitting slice backhands, coming to the net, serving kicks serves and moving incredibly well. The level is fantastic.”
05.11.23 - 13:20 - KOVACKOVA KEEPS IT IN THE FAMILY
Jana Kovackova ensured that a Masters trophy remains in Czech hands for another year, after a comfortable Girls 14 & Under final win over Barbara Kostecka of Poland.
Inseparable for the first eight games, Kovackova was the first to break through, blasting a series of forehand winners to take the ninth game before serving out for the set. The players traded three consecutive breaks to start the second set before the Czech steadied the ship, easing to the second set without the loss of another game.
The win sees her follow in the footsteps of older sister Alena, who was last year’s 16 & Under champion following a similarly impressive season. Victory in Monte-Carlo marks Jana’s fourth Junior Tour title of the season, from eight finals in total.
In many ways, Kostecka was the surprise package of the tournament. Having entered the line-up at the last minute after a withdrawal, the #13 impressed throughout the week, winning all three round-robin matches in straight sets to reach her first final of the season on the biggest of stages.
05.11.23 - 11:30 - JADE LIFTS THE 14 & UNDER BOYS' TROPHY
France’s Daniel Jade has become this year’s first Junior Masters champion.
Jade absolutely dominated the 14 & Under boys’ final against Kaan Isik Kosaner (TUR) from the offset, hitting winners from all corners of the court and breaking the rhythm with deftly timed drop shots, including on match point.
The 6-1 6-1 win caps a stunning season for the French #1, who we profiled recently, excelling at the major events. Having started the year as runner-up at Les Petits As, he went on to win the Category 1 tournament in Paris before claiming the silver medal at the European Championships in Most. He also anchored the French team to victory at the Summer Cups, going unbeaten throughout the competition and claimed his first 18 & Under title on the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors circuit just last week in Casablanca.
Here's his post-match comments:
05.11.23 - 10:30 - MOURATOGLOU ACADEMY INVITES THE CHAMPIONS
Once again, our partners at the Mouratoglou Academy will be offering a one-week stay at their world famous facilities on the French riviera to our four champions. The stay can be a life-changing experience for the young players, who have the chance to train alongside the world's best.
05.11.23 - 09:30 - FINALS DAY
We're ready for the finals! Play starts at 10am, here's the order of the four decisive matches:
Day 3
04.11.23 - 19:30 - 16 & UNDER FINAL SHOWDOWNS LOCKED IN
After a rain-interrupted afternoon in Monte-Carlo, the 16 & Under Junior Masters finals are set.
Finland’s Linus Lagerbohm was the first player through, as he benefitted from a walkover in his final round-robin match, meaning he advanced unbeaten from Group A. The European Championships silver medallist will next play Kolos Kincses of Hungary.
In the final match of the day, the second seed kept up his perfect record with a comfortable straight sets win over #3 Arturs Zagars (LAT), 6-1 6-2. The two finalists therefore set up a rematch of their recent European Junior Championships second round encounter. On that occasion, Kincses was forced to retire in the deciding set, and so began the Finn’s unexpected run to the final, during which he notched up a series of upsets.
Kincses will be attempting to win his third Junior Tour title of the season, while victory for Lagerbohm would be his first triumph.
Gala Ivanovic (pictured, below) of Serbia was the first girl to confirm her spot in the finals, as she wrapped up round-robin play with a 6-1 6-1 win over top seeded compatriot Lana Virc to reach her fifth Junior Tour final of the season.
Her opponent will be European Champion Jeline Vandromme of Belgium, who wasted no time in beating yet another Serb, Stela Dzimovic, 6-1 6-1.
Vandromme is looking to become the first Belgian girl to win a Masters title since Kim Clijsters won the 14 & Under event in 1997. Ivanovic could become the third Serbian winner of the title, following in the footsteps of Kristina Miletic (2014) and Jovana Jaksic (2009).
04.11.23 - 15:30 - ATHLETE PERFORMANCE CENTER
A popular attraction for the players at this year's Masters has been the on-site Athlete Performance Center:
04.11.23 - 15:00 - JUNIOR COMMITTEE MEETING
The Tennis Europe Junior Committee met today in Monte-Carlo, its final meeting of the year. Among the topics on the agenda were the the upcoming Winter Cups by Dunlop, proposed amendments to rules and regulations and plans for the 2024 calendar.
04.11.23 - 14:00 - RAIN STOPS PLAY
As you can see from the live stream above, rain has stopped play for now in Monaco. But the action will continue shortly on two roofed courts...
04.11.23 - 12:45 - 14 & UNDER FINALS SET
The 14 & Under finalists are confirmed following Saturday’s round-robin matches.
Jana Kovackova secured her spot in the girls’ final with a third consecutive straight sets win, this time over third seed Anna Pushkareva. The pair were level until the first set tie break, which the Czech won without dropping a point. From there she never looked back, racing to a 7-6(0) 6-1 win.
Kovackova is looking to keep the Masters silverware in the family, after elder sister Alena won last year’s 16 & Under title. They would become the first ever siblings to have won Junior Masters titles.
Her final opponent will be Barbara Kostecka of Poland. The seventh seed triumphed in a long match with Tamina Kochta (GER) 6-3 3-6 7-5. After the win she told us, “I’m really happy to win and to have won all three of my matches. It’s really special after a tough and challenging year. I’m so happy to be here and to play the final tomorrow.”
Incredibly, it’s Kostecka’s first singles final of the year, while Kovackova has already claimed three Cat.1 singles titles from seven Junior Tour finals. This will be their first meeting in singles, though they have played against each other twice before on the Tour in doubles. Kovackova won both of those meetings, but both were close matches.
The boys’ final will be a showdown between in-form Frenchman Daniel Jade and top seeded Turk Kaan Isik Kosaner. Jade maintained his unbeaten run at the tournament with a 6-3 7-6(5) win over Samim Filiz (TUR), while Kosaner fought back from the loss of the first set of their winner-takes-all battle to beat third seed Tomas Krejci, 3-6 6-3 6-2.
Jade said, “I’m super happy to be in the finals. I’ve had three great matches, tough matches. The conditions are not that easy, there is a lot of wind and it’s been raining, but I managed to play good and win my matches despite that.”
Jade won the only previous singles encounter between the two players earlier this year at the Summer Cups. Kosaner will be seeking his fourth Junior Tour title of the season, while Jade will be looking to add to his Open Stade Français title.
04.11.23 - 08:55 - FINAL PLACES UP FOR GRABS ON SUPER SATURDAY
The players are warming up under bright skies ahead of the final day of round-robin action in Monaco. Tomorrow's finalists will be the players that finish on top of each round robin group of four players. Today's schedule features some monumental clashes, tune in to the action right here, on the Tennis Channel, or on the Junior Tour app - or follow our social media channels for all the latest news and gossip.
One of the players with a good chance of reaching the final is Kolos Kincses (pictured) in the Boys 16 & Under, still to drop a set.
Day 2
03.11.23 - 21:20 - EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP MEDALLISTS MARCH ON
This year’s European Championship medallists continued to cruise at the Masters on Friday, each of them securing their second wins of the tournament.
Jeline Vandromme (BEL) is playing just her second individual Tennis Europe event, having claimed the gold medal in Parma recently, and swept to a second straight sets win of the day conceding just three games to third seed Sofie Hettlerova (CZE).
The boy’s silver medallist in Parma, Linus Lagerbohm (pictured, below), put in a confident display to beat fourth seed Joao Morgado of Portugal, also for the loss of just three games. Morgado’s first match of the day had been a three-hour marathon, leaving him with little in the tank against the relatively fresh Finn.
In the 14 & under event, Daniel Jade of France was the runner-up at the European Championships in Most in July and has since gone on to notch up several other triumphs, including a first 18 & under title last week. He survived a tough test from Savaa Rybkin, dropping the second set on a tie break before outlasting the former 12 & Under Festival champion 6-4 6-7(5) 6-3 in three hours of play.
Full results from Friday can be found at the links above. Tomorrow’s schedule is already online, and features some mouth-watering matches. Play begins at 9am with streaming available right here and on the Junior Tour app.
03.11.23 - 19:00 - A SUSTAINABLE MASTERS, WITH WATERDROP & DUNLOP
This year’s event is not just a celebration of our best players, but it’s also Tennis Europe’s first ‘green’ Masters, testing out some of the organisation’s sustainability recommendations for junior tournaments.
Partners Dunlop have pledged to reuse all the tournament balls, which will be donated to good causes after the competition.
Meanwhile, as part of the brand’s quest to reduce waste plastic, Waterdrop has donated reusable water bottles for all players, coaches, officials and staff on site. Players are encouraged to refill their drinks from the water taps on court, reducing the need for disposable plastics.
Single-use plastics have also been eliminated from the players’ hospitality area, where bamboo dishes and cutlery are used for all meals.
In 2024, Tennis Europe will present new sustainability guidelines for junior tournaments, designed to reduce the negative environmental impact at tennis events.
03.11.23 - 18:20 - SECOND 14&U MATCHES COMPLETED
03.11.23 - 17:00 - KOLOS KINCSES INTERVIEW
Soon to play his second match of the day, over on Insta, second seeded Kolos Kincses (HUN) spoke to us about the scheduling challenges...
03.11.23 - 14:15 - 16&U BOYS WRAP UP FIRST MATCHES
European Championships silver medallist Linus Lagerbohm was the first player through, rushing to a 6-3 6-4 win over top seed Yannick Alexandrescou (ROU). The Finn told us “‘I felt great on the court - the weather wasn’t ideal but I managed to play a good match, it was also my first time playing against Alexandrescou. Now I’m going to get some rest and get ready for my second match.” He plays fourth seed Joao Morgado later this afternoon, with the Portuguese fourth seed still embroiled in the deciding set of his match with William Rejchtman Vinciguerra (SWE).
Second seed Kolos Kincses (HUN) also advanced comfortably, winning 6-3 6-3 over Germany’s Jan Smrcka. Jan Sadzik of Poland battled back from a set down to outlast Arturs Zagars (LAT) 6-7(2) 6-2 6-1.
In 14 & Under action, Jana Kovackova (CZE, pictured) is a girl on a mission. Having posted the day’s quickest win yesterday she became Friday’s first winner in her age group, easing to a 6-2 6-4 win over fifth seeded Romanian Ioana-Stefania Boian.
03.11.23 - 11:40 - 16&U GIRLS FINALLY HIT THE COURTS
Yesterday’s rain-delayed 16&U girls’ matches have come to a conclusion:
Vandromme def. [2] Cvetkovic (SRB) 7-5 6-4
Kolesarova (SVK) def. [1] Virc (SRB) 6-0 6-2
[4] Ivanovic (SRB) def. Jarolimkova (CZE) 6-2 6-3
[3] Hettlerova def. Dzimovic (SRB) 2-6 6-0 6-3
We had a quick chat with European Champion Jeline Vandromme after she notched her first win, how she was able to deal with the rain delay and postponed match plus having to play a second match in one day, later on today.
“The venue is beautiful, the location is amazing and the organization is great! After the delays, they handled it well and we were kept updated. I try to stay calm and focus on one match at a time. Today, there was a lot of wind and the match was not easy under the circumstances, but I think I handled it well. I stayed calm and tried to focus on every point. The results came and I won, so I’m really happy.”
The 16&U girls will be back on court later in the day to play today’s second scheduled matches.
03.11.23 - 09:15 - PLAY UNDER WAY...
The 16 & Under players are having their first taste of action. Stream the matches from Centre Court below (kicking off with Lana Virc (SRB) vs. Jessica Kolesarova (SVK) or log into the Junior Tour app for other courts. Action is also available on the Tennis Channel app in certain territories.
03.11.23 - 08:20 - READY FOR DAY 2!
Good morning from Day 2 in Monte-Carlo! The skies have cleared after yesterday's rainstorms and players are set for a long day of action. The 16 & Under players are aiming to play two of their round robin matches today. The 16 & Under girls begin the action all four courts, followed by the boys. With the 14 & Unders (who managed to complete their schedule yesterday) sandwiched in between, the hope is that the older age group will be back on the courts - and back on schedule - after lunch.
Meanwhile the tournament gallery has been updated with pics of yesterday's action, including this shot of the day's first winner, Savva Rybkin.
Day 1
02.11.23 - 17:35 - PLAY SUSPENDED...
02.11.23 - 16:45 - 14&U MATCHES COMPLETE
Day 1’s 14 & Under matches are now complete, with all the encounters decided in straight sets.
Top seed Kaan Kosaner (TUR) and #3 Tomas Krejci (CZE) rounded off the list of boys’ winners, beating Marco Ontiveros Castro (GER) and Jan Urbanski (POL) respectively.
The first girl to win was top seed Giulia Popa of Romania, who beat Tamina Kochta (GER) 6-4 6-3 in a stop-start match. She told us: “The conditions were not very nice for MC, I was hoping for sun and hot weather but instead it was raining and pretty cold. We started the match with the rooftop but later they took it away because of the wind. We had to take a short break which didn’t really help me but then I got myself together and in the end I really did a good match.”
Barbara Kostecka (POL) dropped just five games to Sara Oliveriusova (CZE), closely followed by Anna Pushkareva, who went one better in a 6-3 6-1 win over Ioana-Stefania Boian (ROU). The last 14 & Under match of the day was the quickest, as Jana Kovackova (CZE) breezed past Oliwia Sybicka (POL) 6-0 6-1 in just over an hour of play.
02.11.23 - 14:30 - TENNIS EUROPE JUNIOR SCHOOL
Yesterday evening the 32 players plus their coaches, Monte-Carlo Country Club and Fédération Monégasque De Tennis staff as well representatives from Dunlop took part in a Junior School session. The school started with presentations, quizzes and giveaways on the topics of “The Tennis Family” and “Social Media” before the final topic of “Diversity and Inclusion” was presented by Tennis Europe CEO Thomas Hammerl. WTA star Paula Badosa sent a special message of encouragement to the players, which you can see below:
02.11.23 - 12:20 - LIVE STREAMING
Don't forget you can follow live streaming throughout the event on the Junior Tour app, available free of charge for Apple and Android users.
02.11.23 - 11:30 - JADE & RYBKIN SCORE FIRST WINS
The first couple of results are in, and it’s not good news for Turkish players, who comprise three of the eight 14 & Under boys’ qualifiers. 7th seed Savva Rybkin, no stranger to Tennis Europe’s season-ending championships having won the 12 & under Festival two years ago, upset #2 Samim Filiz 6-1 6-4.
In the second match, in-form French player Daniel Jade (pictured) recovered from the loss of a first set tie break to eventually dominate Mustafa Ege Sik 6-7(3) 6-1 6-1. Jade arrives in Monte-Carlo hot on the heels of recording his first tournament win on the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors circuit last week. Read our recent interview with Daniel here.
02.11.23 - 11:00 - SCHEDULE CHANGES
Today's order of play has been amended due to the inclement weather. Check out the new version here.
02.11.23 - 09:15 - OPENING CEREMONY
Yesterday evening the players gathered on the iconic centre court for the opening ceremony presentation. Pics of the players are available in our gallery, due to be updated constantly throughout the event: 📸 Photo Gallery
02.11.23 - 09:00 - PLAY DUE TO START
The weather is not ideal in the principality on this opening day. After some heavy rain overnight, players are warming up and play is due to start very soon on two of the Monte-Carlo Country Club's covered courts.