The Tennis Europe 16 & Under Super Category returned to the Foro Italico for the third time alongside the ATP/WTA 1000 events, once again offering young players the chance to experience the atmosphere of professional tennis up close.
Most matches took place at the iconic Foro Italico, while some of them were held in the historic Piazza del Popolo, creating a memorable setting thanks to the efforts of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation.
The tournament in Rome has become one of the most popular stops on the Junior Tour, with many players looking forward to it from the beginning of the year, and some even returning for a second time. Competing in the same place as the professionals gives the juniors a clearer picture of the path towards one day stepping onto Centre Court themselves.
Finals
Home favourite Camilla Castracani produced an impressive run throughout the week. The Italian first upset seventh seed Ayanna Mitu (ROU), before defeating top seed Tea Kovacevic (BIH) and second seed Darina Matvejeva (LAT) to reach the final. Awaiting her there was third seed Lydia Panagiotidou (GRE).
The final delivered two and a half hours of high-level tennis, with both players fighting hard for every point. Castracani claimed the first set, but Panagiotidou responded strongly, turning the match around to secure the title 5-7 6-4 6-3.
In the boys’ draw, top seed Rafael Pagonis (GRE) played his opening match at Piazza del Popolo, but was unable to overcome Italian Alessandro Gallo. Second seed Sebastian Tejerina enjoyed a longer run before being stopped in the quarterfinals by Benoit Geldof (FRA).
Home player Diego Masera impressed throughout the tournament, coming through the qualifying draw and upsetting several seeded players along the way, including eighth seed Tudor Preda (ROU) and fourth seed Max Lorincik (SVK), to book his place in the final.
His opponent, Benoit Geldof, showed strong and consistent tennis all week. The French player dominated the opening set, then saw Masera take a 4-1 lead in the second. Geldof regrouped quickly, regained control of the match and closed out the final 6-1 7-5 to lift the trophy.
Doubles
The boys’ doubles draw featured an all-Italian final, where Giorgio Ghia and Zeno Roveri defeated Emanuele Pilotto and Raz Ty Posca.
In the girls’ doubles event, Tea Kovacevic reached the final for the second time, this year teaming up with Antonia Snochowska (POL). The pair claimed the title with a 6-1 6-3 victory over Greek duo Lydia Panagiotidou and Konstantina Volonaki.
Elsewhere on the Junior Tour
- In Bucharest, Romania, the 14 & Under Category 1 Dr. Oetker Trophy was won by Pablo Jimenez (ESP) and Lyubov Pronenko
- At the Grawe Open in Maribor, Slovenia, both 16 & Under champions upset the top seeds in the finals, with titles going to Yanru Li (CHN) and Maya Micheva (BUL). In the 14 & Under competition, Noah Honsberger (SUI) and Juliette Lafont (FRA) lifted the trophies
- In Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iasonas Spyrou (GRE) and Sara Tripic (BIH) celebrated title victories