More than 60 of Europe’s most promising players have been confirmed for the season-ending 12 & Under Festival, due to be held from 13-18 November at the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar in Manacor, Mallorca.
The Festival is an invitational event that provides a unique experience for the players. National associations may send a maximum of two boys and two girls, selected based on their performances at Tennis Europe Junior Tour Category 1 events throughout the season.
This year’s line-up features some of the most prominent players on the circuit, many of whom already have impressive resumes. Between them, the players have combined to win 81 Junior Tour singles titles in 2023.
The girls’ field is led by a clear favourite for the title: Latvia’s Darina Matvejeva has played arguably one of the most impressive seasons the Junior Tour has ever witnessed, amassing 8 Category 1 titles and going unbeaten in singles competition.
Some of her main rivals will be Elizaveta Anikina (EST) and Eva-Maria Bulai (ROU), amongst the youngest players in the draw at still just 11 years of age. They join Lily Marie Greinert (GER) as the only other qualifiers to have reached three Category 1 finals this season, each of them picking up one title.
Wild card invitations were also extended to Britain’s Megan Knight, thanks to a 14 & Under tournament win in Maribor earlier this year, and to Emilia Thygesen of Iceland, who won the 14 & Under Small States Championships in singles, as well as three doubles titles.
Luca Daraban of Romania will be among the favourites for the boys’ title, being the only player to have won four Category 1 titles on the 12 & Under circuit in 2023. Chasing him will be two-time winners Max Lorincik (SVK), Rogier Verbeet (NED), Vencel Fazekas (HUN), Luis Ariel Hererra Sanchez (GER) and Evan Giurescu (FRA).
Thomas Duffek leads the home hopes. The Spaniard has already won a title on Mallorcan soil this year, adding the recent Santa Ponsa trophy to his Category 1 win in Nisa earlier in the year.
As always, the host venue will provide full hospitality for the coaches and players, who will enjoy a week of side events and entertainment at the facility, including a trip to the Rafa Nadal Museum and an introductory Junior School session. Throughout the event, matches will be streamed live via tenniseurope.org and the Junior Tour app – further details will follow.
Links: Player Photo Gallery | Acceptance List (boys) | Acceptance List (girls)