Bolton Arena Hosts 19th Edition of Prestigious Junior International Tennis Tournament
Last week, Bolton Arena welcomed some of the best junior tennis talent from around the globe for the Grade 1 Tennis Europe Lawn Tennis Association Junior International. This prestigious event, open to juniors aged 14 and under, saw competitors from the USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, and across Europe showcasing their skills in one of the most highly anticipated tournaments of the junior tennis calendar.
The tournament, steeped in history, has been a launchpad for future stars, and this year marked the 19th time Bolton Arena has hosted the event since its inception 30 years ago. The Arena’s Tennis Academy proudly had seven players competing, including April Sackflame, who reached the third round of the girls’ main draw singles, and Naina Kapoor, who advanced to the second round—a notable achievement for both, given they were competing a year young.
Thrilling Finals See Outstanding Performances
On finals day, the titles went to Sakino Miyazawa (JPN) in the girls’ singles and Mario Vukovic (FRA) in the boys’ singles.
The girls’ final featured an all-Japanese showdown between Miyazawa, the Tour’s Overseas Player of the Year in 2024, and Shina Okuyama, who impressively advanced from the qualifying draw, defeating the #13, #2, and #7 seeds. Miyazawa’s dominant form continued as she clinched the trophy with a 6-4, 6-2 victory.
In the boys’ draw, Laurens Drijver (NED) and Mario Vukovic (FRA) battled for the title. Drijver, fresh off a doubles victory and a quarterfinal upset over top seed Rafael Pagonis (GRE), faced Vukovic, who displayed commanding form throughout the tournament. Vukovic sealed the title with a decisive 6-2, 6-2 win, adding to his impressive junior achievements, including victory at the 12 & Under Festival in 2023.
Reflections on a Historic Event
Tournament Director Richard Joyner hailed this year’s tournament as one of the best in its rich 30-year history. “The standard of play seems to improve every year, and this week was no exception. While the names may not yet be familiar, history shows us that many of these players will go on to achieve great things, including winning Grand Slams.”
Neil Hutchingson, Managing Director of Bolton Arena, added: “We’re delighted to host this prestigious event again. The rapid rise of players like Cori Gauff and Bianca Andreescu, who have competed here in the past, highlights the incredible caliber of talent this tournament attracts. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for our homegrown academy players to compete on such a significant stage. We look forward to continuing to host this event for many years to come.”
The Bolton Junior International continues to serve as a vital stepping stone for young talent, providing a glimpse into the future of tennis while fostering a global spirit of competition and sportsmanship.