Wrapping up the 2024 season, it’s time to celebrate the achievements of the Tennis Europe Junior Tour Players of the Year. Eight awards have been given across different categories:
- 4 Players of the Year (the top-ranked boys and girls aged 14&U and 16&U after the final Race to Monte-Carlo update of the season)
- 1 Doubles Team of the Year
- 1 National Team
- 2 Overseas Players of the Year (1 boy and 1 girl from non-European countries)
Previous recipients of the award include former world #1s Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek as well as the now retired stars such as Andy Murray and Kim Clijsters.
GIRLS’ 14 & UNDER: JANA KOVACKOVA (CZE)
2024 W/L: 33/3 (91.6%)
Kovackova had another amazing year on tour and is the girls’ 14&U Player of the Year for a second year in succession. Although she played slightly fewer events than in 2023, she improved on her already impressive 2023 win/loss percentage and was an integral part of the Czech 14&U national team’s Winter and Summer Cups wins.
Tournament wins:
- XXX Taça International, Maia (Super Category)
- Kungens Kanna & Drottningens Pris, Stockholm (Super Category)
- She also won the 16&U event 22nd “Joan Mir” Tournament, Torelló (Category 1)
Finalist:
- 2023 European Junior Championships
BOYS’ 14 & UNDER: SCOTT WATSON (GBR)
2024 W/L: 38/12 (76%)
Watson’s year really picked up in the spring and into the summer, as he some deep runs during that time while also helping lead Team GB to their first Summer Cups final since 1995. He capped of the season brilliantly with a win at the year-end event in Monte-Carlo.
Tournament wins:
- Tennis Europe Junior Masters, Monte-Carlo
- Dr Oetker Junior Trophy, Bucharest (Category 1)
Finalist:
- European Junior Championships, Most
GIRLS’ 16 & UNDER: TEA KOVACEVIC (BIH)
2024 W/L: 88/9 (90.7%)
Kovacevic dominated the 16&U Tour and also won five 14&U events including the European Junior Championships. She qualified for Monte-Carlo in both age groups, electing to play in the more senior. Keep an eye out for her 'In the Spotlight' interview coming in the new year.
16&U Tournament wins:
- Tennis Europe Junior Masters, Monte-Carlo
- Bohdan Tomaszewski Cup, Warsaw (Category 1)
- Open RCT Barcelona 1899, Sarajevo (Category 1)
- Torneo U16, Tolentino (Category 1)
- Yason Cup, Novi Sad (Category 2)
- Rio Verde Cup, Podgorica (Category 3)
16&U Finalist:
- Torneo U16, Milan (Category 2)
- Pecin Memorial, Pancevo (Category 2)
BOYS’ 16 & UNDER: GONÇALO DA ROSA CASTRO (POR)
2024 38/13 (74.5%)
Da Rosa Castro was dominant in the Race for much of the season: he remained in the top 2 for a staggering 27 consecutive weeks and was at number 1 for 19 weeks in total. He appeared in this month’s feature interview (click here) and made a run to round 4 at the European Junior Championships as the #4 seed among a stacked field. Despite falling to eventual champion Yannick Alexandrescou in the round robin stage at the Junior Masters, he has ended the year on a high with this award.
Tournament wins:
- Emilio Sanchez Academy Youth Cup, Barcelona (Category 2)
- Torneo U16, Milan (Category 2)
OVERSEAS PLAYER OF THE YEAR (GIRLS) - SAKINO MIYAZAWA (Japan)
Year End Ranking #27
Sakino Miyazawa was a strong presence on the Junior Tour this year, claiming 2 singles and 3 doubles titles in the 14 & Under age group. She concluded the year ranked in the top 30, with an impressive singles win/loss record of 37-6, achieving an 86% success rate. Additionally, Miyazawa secured a trophy in the 16 & Under category at the Category 2 tournament in Nis.
Tournament wins at 14&U Events:
- Antonio Hernández Cup – Barcelona, Spain – Cat.1
- VARITEX Lodz Cup 2024 - Lodz, Poland – Cat. 2
Finalist:
- Open du Stade Français - Marnes La Coquette, France – Cat. 1
OVERSEAS PLAYER OF THE YEAR (BOYS) - ANSAR NIYETKALIYEV (KAZ)
Year End Ranking #41
Ansar Niyetkaliyev finishes the year as the top-ranked overseas player. He has competed in numerous singles and doubles matches, achieving a singles win rate of 79%.
Tournament wins at 14&U Events:
- Soul Cup - Istanbul, Türkiye - Cat.2
- Ankara Cup - Ankara, Türkiye - Cat.3
- Ergan Cup - Erzincan, Türkiye - Cat. 3
Finalist:
- Junior Bavarian Open 2024 - Augsburg, Germany – Cat. 2
- Amergy Open 2024 - Vienna, Austria – Cat. 3
DOUBLES TEAM OF THE YEAR - JANA KOVACKOVA & KATERINA ZAJICKOVA (CZE)
This team began the year on a high note, reaching the finals at the Super Category event in Tarbes—Les Petits As. Shortly after, they claimed the trophy at another Super Category tournament in Stockholm. The pair remained unbeaten in doubles throughout the year, also securing the most prestigious trophy of all—the European Junior Championships.
3 Tournament wins together:
- European Junior Championships, Most
- Kungens Kanna & Drottningens Pris, Stockholm (Super Category)
- XXX Taça International Maia Jovem, Maia (Super Category)
Finalists:
- Les Petits As, Tarbes (Super Category)
NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR - SLOVAKIA 12&U BOYS
2024 marked a historic achievement for Slovakia's 12 & Under Boys' team as they clinched gold in both the Summer and Winter Cups for the first time. Martin Adamca, Matteo Sanson, and Lubos Husenica led their team to impressive victories, contributing to a combined total of 34 wins across both cups. They showed great skill, teamwork, and consistency under pressure, especially in pivotal matches that decided the championship titles.
For more information about the winners, check our social media channels.