Europe’s top young players competed at the Monte-Carlo Country Club during the Tennis Europe Junior Masters, held from 21-24 October. The competition saw the first Junior Masters title for Poland in the under-16 category, and for Ukraine in the under-14s.
This year’s line-up for the Junior Tour’s grand finale was particularly strong, with all four number one players present, each one aiming to win the prestigious title and secure the year-end top ranking. The international tournament brought together 32 players across both age categories.
Flawless tournament for Polish player Blazej Krzysko
Saturday’s competition saw four finals on the Monte-Carlo Country Club’s centre court, and the crowning of a new Tennis Europe Junior Masters champion. In the under-16 final, Blazej Krzysko, from Poland, defeated Mark Jony, from Hungary, 6–4, 6–1 in just 68 minutes, capping off a flawless tournament of four wins. Blazej Krzysko has now become the first Polish player in history to win a Junior Masters title.
Tied for Top Spot
Lydia Panagiotidou, from Greece, and Zana Peric, from Serbia had arrived at the Masters tied for the top spot. They played against each other for the first time. Lydia Panagiotidou secured the Masters title for the under-16s with a 6-2, 6-3 victory in 80 minutes.
First Victory for Ukraine
Ukraine’s Mariia Kocherzhenko claimed the Tennis Europe Junior Masters title, defeating Italy’s Olivia Conticello in the under-14 final. Kocherzhenko is now the first Ukrainian to claim the girls’ under-14 title at the Masters. The young athlete’s idol, Marta Kostyuk, who was a finalist in the tournament back in 2015, watched the match from the stands.
Rafael Papoian, from Russia, capped off a spectacular season by winning the Tennis Europe Junior Masters title in the under-14 category, defeating Bulgaria’s Bruno Dzhenev 6-2, 6-3.
In the Footsteps of Legends
Tennis icons like Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev, and Kim Clijsters all competed in the Tennis Europe Junior Masters early in their careers. The tournament drew local and international personalities, family members, and spectators, all eager to catch a glimpse of the tennis stars of tomorrow in action.
