2019 was a record-breaking year for the Junior Tour, and 2020 looks set to be even better. The European Federation owns the license for over 400 junior tournaments and runs more than 70 team events across the continent. Ahead of the new season, Tennis Europe has unveiled the first part of the new calendar, and a range of other innovations, including:
- The introduction of a new ‘Super Category’ of 14 & Under tournaments
- An enhanced player pathway to provide new opportunities for top 16 & Under players
- Venues for the second season of the Tennis Europe Junior School
- Exclusive new Tennis Europe Junior Tour apparel
The 14 & Under Circuit will be further enhanced in 2020 with the creation of a new ‘Super Category’. Five of the Tour’s most prestigious events have been upgraded from Category 1 to Super Category status to reflect their extraordinary efforts and performances. Players at Super Category tournaments can earn more ranking points and look forward to extra services and benefits.
The tournaments promoted to Super Category status in 2020 are:
- ONE-SGM Christmas Cup, Khimki (RUS) – week of December 30th
- Les Petits As, Tarbes (FRA) – week of January 27th
- Kungens Kanna & Drottningens Pris, Stockholm (SWE) – week of February 24th
- XXVII Taça Internacional Maia (POR) – week of March 30th
- 43. Internationale Deutsche Tennismeisterschaften Dueren (GER) – week of July 27th
Detailed information about the new Super Category can be found here.
Another important innovation for 2020 will see the implementation of reserved places in the main draws of 18 & Under ITF Junior Circuit tournaments in Europe for players aged 15 and 16 based on their Tennis Europe ranking. The system helps 16 & Under players get started at 18 & Under events, while encouraging participation at Tennis Europe’s 16 & Under tournaments. Additionally, the new system will extend the ITF player pathway for juniors within Europe and create a clear link between regional (Europe) and global (ITF) competition. For full information on how the new system will work, click here.
In further news, the Tennis Europe Junior School has been officially approved by the WTA. So far, almost 500 young athletes have attended classes where they received specialised training and advice about life as professional tennis players. The pioneering education programme for players aged 14 and 16 & Under will see a wide range of new topics introduced in 2020, including Nutrition, Hydration, Periodisation, Agents & Sponsorship, Media and Social Media.
Players can train their brains at the following events in 2020:
- Les Petits As, Tarbes (FRA), 14&U Super Category
- Kungens Kanna & Drottningens Pris, Stockholm (SWE), 14&U Super Category
- ITF/Tennis Europe Development Championships, Antalya (TUR), 14&U
- Sanchez-Casal Youth Cup, Barcelona (ESP), 16&U Category 1
- Ukrainian Junior Open, Irpin (UKR), 14/16&U Category 1
- European 14&U Championships, Most (CZE)
- European 16&U Championships, Moscow (RUS)
- European 18&U Championships, Klosters (SUI)
- Tennis Europe Junior Masters
Also coming soon, Tour players will be able to purchase official Tennis Europe Junior Tour apparel, which will be made available throughout the season in association with HEAD Sportswear.
With 408 events in 2019, the Tour catered for more players than ever before. Entries will soon be open for the first tournaments of 2020, with the rest of the first six months of the new calendar due to be published online during November.
Stay tuned for more news and information soon!