Ukraine (girls) and Slovakia (boys) have both created European tennis history by winning their nations’ first ever 16&U Winter Cups by Dunlop titles.
Both finals were played in France, with the Slovakian boys’ victory played out in the city of Lille, while in Brest the Ukrainian girls completed a successful weekend for their nation following their compatriots’ triumph in the 14&U girls’ final yesterday.
- The yellow and blue team beat Hungary 3-0 in the final to maintain a perfect 9-0 win-loss in all matches in the girls’ final rounds.
- As mentioned, it is Ukraine’s first title at this event and their previous best result was as runners-up in 2009.
- Meanwhile, Slovakia beat Czechia 2-0 in the boys’ final.
- It was also Slovakia’s first-ever appearance in a final at this event.
BOYS’ FINAL
Slovakia defeated Czechia 2-0
Slovakia’s Road to the Final
Zone D Qualifying Rounds: R1 def Georgia 3-0; R2 def Sweden 3-0; Qualifying Final: def Germany 2-1
Final Rounds: QF def Serbia 2-0; SF def France 2-1; F def Czechia 2-0
Czechia’s Road to the Final
Zone B Qualifying Rounds: R1 def Great Britain 2-1; R2 def Estonia 2-1; Qualifying Final def Ukraine 2-0
Final Rounds: QF def Türkiye 2-1; SF def Germany 2-1; F lost to Slovakia 0-2
After pipping an arguably higher-fancied French team to the post in the semis in a thrilling doubles decider yesterday, the Slovaks relied only on their singles win today. Dominic Macej staged a remarkable comeback after a rough start, recovering after losing the first set to edge out Tomas Krejci 0-6 6-2 7-6 in a tense encounter. Meanwhile, 27th-ranked Leon Sloboda, the highest-ranked player among the four in action, showcased his dominance with a 6-2 6-2 win over Jakub Kusy.
GIRLS’ FINAL
Ukraine def Hungary 3-0
Ukraine’s Road to the Final
Zone B Qualifying Rounds: R1 def Norway 2-1; R2 def Germany 2-1; Qualifying Final def Belgium 3-0
Final Rounds: QF def France 3-0; SF def Austria 3-0; F def Hungary 3-0
Hungary’s Road to the Final
Zone D Qualifying Rounds: R1 def Slovakia 2-1; R2 def Bulgaria 2-1; Qualifying Final lost to Great Britain 1-2
Final Rounds: QF def Czechia 2-1; SF def Poland 2-1; F lost to Ukraine 0-3
In the first match Sofia Kryvoruchko beat Luca Kalman 6-2 6-3. As for Polina Skliar, she faced a tougher test against Greta Nemcsek, dominating the opening set before Nemcsek fought back to level the match. In a tense deciding set, Skliar held her nerve to claim a 6-1 4-6 6-4 win. Determined to keep a clean sheet, Skliar return on the court with Irma Chukhlich for the doubles. Facing Kalman and Lujza Beviz, the Ukrainian pair had an intense opening set before their opponents forced a deciding match tiebreak. In a dramatic finish, Skliar and Chukhlich claimed a 5-4(3) 0-4 10-8 victory to join the celebration of their 14&U compatriots, who won their Winter Cups title yesterday.
And so, the 2025 edition of the Tennis Europe Winter Cups comes to an end. Since its launch in 1977, the competition has grown into the premier indoor junior team event, offering young players a unique opportunity to compete with their teams during the winter months. This year, 185 national teams took part across the three age categories - 12, 14 and 16 & Under.
FINAL STANDINGS
BOYS
- Slovakia
- Czechia
- France
- Germany
- Turkiye
- Ukraine
- Italy
- Serbia
GIRLS
- Ukraine
- Hungary
- Poland
- Austria
- Great Britain
- Czechia
- France
- Belgium