Hot off the heels of his Super Category win on clay in Milan, Rafael Pagonis (GRE) has won the boys’ singles title on the grass courts of Raynes Park in London. Japan’s Sakino Miyazawa was the girls’ champion at the Category 1 event.
Pagonis was making his grass court debut, and the Greek player uncharacteristically struggled early on but eked out some tough wins to advance to the final. “In the beginning (of the tournament) it was very tough and it wasn't easy to adjust at all. But I enjoyed it and would love to play again on grass.”
The final was a third meeting against another player doing well this year and #2 in the Race: Austria’s Moritz Freitag. It was hard fought battle, and the first three-setter the two had ever played. Pagonis prevailed 7-5 4-6 6-3 to take a 3-0 head-to-head lead over his rival and stamp his authority on the Race to Monte Carlo. This victory brings his tally to impressive round numbers: a fifth title of 2025, and 20th TEJT title overall.
On his win and amazing season so far, Pagonis was proud but wary, “I am happy… but the ranking changes every week, so I am trying my best to stay in top 8 because I want to play the Junior Masters!”
The girls’ top seed had a very different path to victory, making light work of her rivals en route to a sixth TEJT title and second of the season. Miyazawa did not drop a set and got stronger as she advanced, dropping just three games to Grace Watson (GBR) in the semis before defeating British wildcard April Sackflame 6-0 6-3 in the final. The win is her second Category 1 title in Great Britain this year, having also triumphed in Bolton in January.
All four Raynes Park finalists will receive an invitation to the Wimbledon 14&U event, a prospect which has Pagonis truly chuffed. “Of course, one of my goals this year was to get the invitation to Wimbledon. There are no ranking points, so I want to enjoy the tournament, play against the best in the world, and of course also watch the professionals and learn from them. I can't wait for this amazing experience!”
Miyazawa has a few more European dates on her calendar, while Pagonis is going from strength to strength heading into July. And with the Summer Cups just around the corner, there is no doubt the TEJT #1 will be keen to make history for Greece.
Boys’ Doubles Final: Moritz Freitag (AUT) & Francisco Sardinha (POR) d. Max Lorincik (SVK) & Rafael Pagonis (GRE) 6-2 6-1
Girls Doubles Final: Milica Sakamoto Milojevic (GBR) & Sakino Miyazawa (JPN) d. Riana Rusnackova (SVK) & Grace Watson (GBR) 7-5 6-4
ELSEWHERE ON THE TEJT:
Lexus Junior International | 12&U Cat1 | West Hants (GBR)
Working towards possible qualification for the Carlos Moya 12&U Festival were champions Kai Max Hodkinson (GBR) and Bianca Fagerlund (SWE). It is Hodkinson’s third final and second title of the year, while the Swede picks up her maiden win of 2025.
Torneo U16 | 16&U Cat2 | Crema (ITA)
Another Japanese player made headway on the TEJT this weekend in the form of Ayaka Iwasa. Having played several 12 and 14 & Under events, she has now won her first singles title on tour. Cesare Cattaneo (ITA) picked up his third tour title and first in this age group.
Bohemia Cafex Cup | 14&U Cat3 | Rakovnik (CZE)
Matteo Sanson (SVK), currently at number 25 in the Race, has picked up a second title in his third final appearance of 2025. Meanwhile, congratulations to Czech local Amelie Tvrzska on winning her maiden TEJT singles title! You can find full results from all of last week's events here.
SUMMER CUPS
Coming very soon is the 14&U Summer Cups, with the Qualifying Rounds due to start next week (25-27 June) and the Final Rounds following from 30 June to 2 July. Team nominations are now online. For all the dates, ages groups, venues and more information, click here.