Tennis Europe is pleased to announce that the European 16 & Under Championships will take place in Parma, Italy, from 25 September – 1 October 2023.
The European Tennis Federation has assigned the Championships from 2023 until 2027 to the Italian Tennis & Padel Federation, which will stage the event in the city of Parma for the first time.
While the format of the Championships remains unchanged – all 48 active Tennis Europe member nations can nominate their top two boys and girls to compete in singles and doubles competitions – the FITP has proposed a unique staging which will bring a festival of tennis to Parma for the week. Early stages of the event will be played across four of the town’s top tennis clubs, with TC Parma due to host all matches from the quarterfinals onwards.
Tennis Europe’s flagship junior tennis competition, the European Junior Championships were first staged in 1976, and are held annually over three age categories (14, 16 and 18 & Under). The 16 & Under event has previously been held in the Italian cities of Genova in 2002 and Orbetello from 2004-2006. Current top players to have won the 16 & Under gold medal include the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Grigor Dimitrov, Simona Halep, Daria Kasatkina and Andrey Rublev.
Tennis Europe President Ivo Kaderka said, “I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to the FITP for stepping up to ensure that this year’s 16 & Under event will take place. Furthermore, their long-term commitment to staging the next five editions of the tournament will ensure the continued growth and maximum exposure for this jewel in the crown of our Junior Tour.”
FITP President Angelo Binaghi added, “We are committed to nurturing and showcasing the best junior talent are delighted to add the European Championships to our portfolio of international junior tennis events. We look forward to hosting the region’s top players and to bringing our coverage to as wide an audience as possible, both domestically and around the world.”
The singles champions in Parma will also receive invitations to compete at the elite season-ending Tennis Europe Junior Masters, due to be staged in Monte-Carlo in November.