The eve of the prestigious 2013 Tennis Europe Junior Masters in Reggio Calabria, Italy, saw the best 14 & Under and 16 & Under girls and boys from across the continent gather at the Circolo del Tennis ‘Rocco Polimeni’ Club ahead of the start of competition on Friday.
As preparations for the tournament continued around the Club, including the draw, the players themselves took time out from practice to engage in an Educational Forum. This was designed to equip them with knowledge which will prove essential should they progress to a pro tennis career. Speakers included Tennis Europe Junior Committee representative Marjeta Smodis and Junior Tennis Manager Stephanie Kamberi, who were joined by sports media experts Faye Andrews and Eleanor Preston from The Emilia Group.
The forum included a presentation on the essential roles played by the International Tennis Federation and Tennis Europe in the governance of the sport and many of its tournaments at professional, junior and senior level.
Players were also given some all-important guidance on the responsibility of all professional tennis athletes to abide by the sport’s strong anti-doping rules. This included advice on the process of post-match and out-of-competition testing and what they can expect should they be tested.
The forum was rounded off with an interactive session on media and social media, the role it plays in tennis and practical tips that make for an effective interview. The section on social media helped them understand how top level players like Roger Federer, Viktoria Azarenka, Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych use platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to promote themselves and engage with fans.
Players were also encouraged to create their own videos and pictures for social media, with the best examples to be shown via the Tennis Europe Facebook and Twitter pages.
After the Educational Forum - which included a prize-giving raffle - players, coaches, organisers and Club staff joined together in celebration for the opening ceremony, which formally marked the start of what promises to be a fascinating few days of top-level junior competition.
Tennis Europe Junior Masters - Draws
Boys 14 & Under | Boys 16 & Under
Girls 14 & Under | Girls 16 & Under
Order of Play