ITF JUNIOR CIRCUIT FOLLOWING IN FOOTSTEPS OF ATP’S WORLD TOUR FINALS By Ricky Dimon

Written by: Staff on 24th April 2014

ITF JUNIOR CIRCUIT FOLLOWING IN FOOTSTEPS OF ATP'S WORLD TOUR FINALS By Ricky Dimon

epa04040433 Stefan Kozlov of the US in action during his junior boys' singles final match against Alexander Zverev of Germany at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 25 January 2014. EPA/MADE NAGI |

The International Tennis Federation announced last week that it will launch an ITF Junior Masters featuring the top eight boys and girls from the previous year’s final rankings.

No time is being wasted, as the inaugural international event will be held next April 3-5 at the Sichuan International Tennis Center in Chengdu, China. The 2014 race is already on for the spots (eight girls, eight boys) in the 2015 tournament that is already less than 12 months away. Chengdu is scheduled to host the prestigious championship for at least three years following an agreement made by the ITF with the Chinese Tennis Association and the Chengdu Sport Bureau.

Not unlike in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, each one of the qualifiers will be guaranteed at least three matches.

Two prominent juniors weighed in with their opinions on the new development.

China’s Sun Ziyue, world No. 13 in the girls rankings: “As a Chinese Junior tennis player, I am thrilled to hear that the first ITF Junior Masters is to be held in Chengdu Province in 2015. It will be a great opportunity to raise junior tennis to a higher level, and a motivation for me and other Chinese players as well to train ever harder in order to participate in this highest grade of ITF Junior circuit.”

The USA’s Stefan Kozlov, world No. 5 in the boys rankings: “I view the ITF junior circuit as a pathway to the professional circuit. Such an event that showcases the world’s top eight juniors will be a great addition to the ITF junior circuit, especially in how it will provide its top players with another valuable competitive experience to build from.”

Built in 2008, the Sichuan International Tennis Center boasts 12 match courts and 20 practice courts. The ITF Junior Masters will be played on three match courts, including a main stadium with a capacity of 6,000. Matches will be broadcast and streamed live on each of the three days.

Topics: Atp World Tour, Itf, Junior Tennis, Tennis News

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10sBalls_com says:

April 24, 2014 at 8:29 am

ITF JUNIOR CIRCUIT FOLLOWING IN FOOTSTEPS OF ATP’S WORLD TOUR FINALS By @RD_Tennistalk – http://t.co/d9KDSRDGHk @ITF_Tennis @ATPWorldTour
RD_Tennistalk says:

April 24, 2014 at 8:35 am

RT @10sBalls_com: ITF JUNIOR CIRCUIT FOLLOWING IN FOOTSTEPS OF ATP’S WORLD TOUR FINALS By @RD_Tennistalk – http://t.co/d9KDSRDGHk @ITF_Ten…