World’s top tennis juniors return to Bolton Arena

9 Jan 2020 02:35
Published by: Daniel Almond

SOME of the world’s best junior tennis players will converge on the Bolton Arena in 2020 for the LTA Junior International from 17 to 24 January. 

 

The event, which is open to Juniors aged 14 and under, is steeped in history and regularly attracts stars of the future.  

Since it began as Teen Tennis in 1995, the event has attracted a strong field of rising stars from across the globe. A number of previous players have gone on to reach the world’s top 10 including Eugenie Bouchard, Caroline Wozniacki, Justine Henin, Jelena Ostapenko, Kim Clijsters, Sloane Stephens, Andy Murray, Marcos Baghdatis, Lucas Pouille and Tomas Berdych. 

Bianca Andreescu, the current US Open champion, competed in the 2014 event, reaching the quarter finals of the singles and winning the doubles title. 

This year’s breakout star Cori Gauff beat compatriot Alexandra Yepifanova to capture the 2017 title aged just 12 and current world number 21, Amanda Anisimova, was runner up in 2015. 

British number two Kyle Edmund reached the last 16 of the boy’s competition back in 2009, while Canada’s Felix Auger Aliassime was a semi-finalist in both the  singles and doubles in 2014and current world number 18, Alex Di Minaur, reached the quarter finals in 2013. 

Tennis legend Bjorn Borg was also a visitor to the Arena in 2017 to watch his son Leo progress to the consolation singles final. 

Richard Joyner, LTA Tournament Director, says: “This event provides a great opportunity to see the future stars of world tennis. The number of players who have played this tournament and gone on to reach the higher echelons of the professional game is seriously impressive. It’s also a great opportunity for players from the north-west, including some who train at the Bolton Arena, to compete against some of the world’s best players in their age group.”

Qualifying is Friday 17 and Saturday 18 January, with main draw Sunday 19 to Friday 24 January. 

Entry for spectators is free of charge throughout the week.

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