In January, Alexander Ostrovsky Academy in Khimki will host the 14&U O1 Properties Christmas Cup for a fourth consecutive year. The tournament has already taken its niche in the Tennis Europe Junior Tour with its award as the best organised tournament of the 2015 given by European Federation. Representatives of 17 countries attended the event in the 2016 including players from France, Poland, Sweden, Italy, Serbia, Moldova, Spain, Belorussia, Ukraine and other specially invited participants like UK Team represented by Holly Fischer, Kylie Bilchev, MJ Changwereza, Emma Raducanu.
At the tournament guests witnessed the most interesting and exciting tennis battles. The event was visited by approximately 3,000 people, amongst them were leaders of the Russian Tennis Federation: Shamil Tarpishchev, Vladimir Lazarev, Alexei Selivanenko, Nikolay Davydenko, and other well-known figures in sports, as well as ordinary tennis fans.
The most titled athlete of the tournament is the leading Academy student, Anastasia Potapova, who won twice before in both singles and doubles (2014, 2015). She shared the victory in the doubles with Olesya Pervushina (2014) and Maria Novikova (2015). In 2016 the trophy was taken home by Daria Snigur (Ukraine), the winner title in doubles was taken by Russian players, Daria Astakhov and Maria Shusharina.
The absolute winner of O1 Properties Christmas Cup amongst boys became Russian players, Allen Avidzba (2014) and Timofey Skatov (2015). Last season the winners title in singles was taken by another Russian player, Alibek Kachmazov, and Viktor Jovic (Serbia) with David Tachala (Poland) won the winners title in doubles.
In addition to the participation of the leading Russian juniors at the O1 Properties Christmas Cup U14 2017, the strongest European players in the same age group are expected to join as well as the Bulgarian and Canada Teams.
Organisers are making maximum efforts to create a competitive environment for local juniors, but also taking care of the entertainment programs providing great mood for the guests. In January 2016, Traditionally on the fourth day of the main draw the showcase match was held, where the team of tennis veterans – Irina Likhovetseva and Alexander Krasnorutskiy, played with the very talented junior team –Anastasia Potapova and David Tachala. For the first time the role of the commentator took ex-third racket of the world and the winner of the final ATP 2009 in London Nikolay Davydenko.
The same evening, the trip to see the heart of Moscow – Red Square was organised for the players. Juniors were giving white limousine which was followed by a row of administrative cars.
In 2017, the Academy's team will try and surprise participants. One of this year tournament’s nuances is the lighting design decoration of the centre court. There will also be a 3D projection during players’ entrance to the court and during match breaks.
During the tournament the showcase match is planned to be held with the winner of the 2016 Junior Wimbledon, Anastasia Potapova, as well as the stars of the national tennis. The battle will be carried out with using variety of special effects and neon lighting.
Qualifying single matches for boys and girls will begin on December 31; the main draw matches in singles and doubles competitions will start on January 2. The number of participants in the main draw is 48, making 24 teams for doubles. Official tournament hard cover is on the hard surface. Altogether 160 players from every corner of the globe will start the competition. Tournament administration will accommodate players in the Academy itself as well as in the official hotel – Double Tree by Hilton, which is located on the Leningradskoye Hwy, not far from courts.
Participants of the O1 Properties Christmas cup could spend their breaks in the Player’s Village. They could enjoy rich entertainment program, which offers the trip to the Red Square, PlayStation Battle in football and tennis, table games, photobooth and many more.
The tournament is Supported by Moscow Region Government, Social Policy Department and Khimki city Administration. For more information, check here.