The Tennis South Africa (TSA) Junior Masters, the premier event for junior tennis players in the country, concluded on Sunday, crowning champions in the under-12, 14, 16, and 18 categories. The three-day event showcased the top 8 players in each age group, delivering high intensity matches and exceptional talent.
The most prestigious titles of the tournament were claimed in the under-18 category, where Free State's Donna Le Roux and North West's Reuben de Klerk emerged victorious in the women’s and men’s events, respectively.
The second-seeded Le Roux secured her victory with a commanding performance, defeating Luise Janse Van Rensburg 6-2, 6-0. Reflecting on her win, Le Roux expressed her gratitude and pride, "I just won the Junior Masters U18 girls. I want to thank TSA for giving me a wild card and an opportunity to play.
“It was a very good weekend for me; I am very proud of myself. I had some very tough matches.
“The junior master is a very tough competition, playing two tough matches a day, but I got better throughout the tournament. I am very proud of myself," added Le Roux.
In the boys' under-18 division, the top seed De Klerk triumphed over Willem De Waal in a thrilling match, winning 6-3, 1-6, 7-6. De Klerk shared his thoughts on the challenging conditions and the overall experience, "I just won the boys U18 junior master’s championship. It was a lovely weekend with lots of good competition. The wind was a bit complicated, but I was able to work through it. I had nice matches, and I am happy to come through with the win."
In the under-16 category, top-seeded Bogdan Mandic from Free State displayed remarkable resilience, surviving a second set scare to defeat Pavlos Christoforakis 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to claim the boys trophy. Meanwhile in the girls’ event Allegra van der Walt claimed the girls' under-16 title after her opponent, Morgan Jordaan, retired due to injury while trailing 5-4 in the first set.
Megan Van Vuuren and Ethan Pieber emerged victorious in the under-14 category, with Van Vuuren defeating Jesse De Villiers 6-2, 6-4 in the girls event, and Pieber overcoming top seed Jamie Roux 1-6, 6-1, 6-2 to lift the title.
Lastly, in the under-12 category, top-seeded Tristan Summers from Gauteng North dominated Alec Kock with a decisive 6-0, 6-0 victory, while Lily Haley from Western Cape battled back to defeat Gabriella Coetzee 4-6, 6-0, 6-1.
Results:
Girls
Under-12
[1] Lily Haley (WC) bt [2] Gabriella Coetzee (GN) 4-6, 6-0, 6-1
Under-14
[2] Megan Van Vuuren (WC) bt Jesse De Villiers (GN) 6-2, 6-4
Under-16
Allegra van der Walt (NW) def. Morgan JORDAAN 5-4 ret (injured)
Under-18
[2] Donna Le Roux (FS) bt [3] Luise Janse Van Rensburg (FS) 6-2, 6-0
Boys
Under-12
[1] Tristan Summers (GN) bt [3] Alec Kock (WC) 6-0, 6-0
Under-14
Ethan Pieber (WC) bt [1] Jamie Roux (WC) 1-6, 6-1, 6-2
Under-16
[1] Bogdan Mandic (FS) bt [3] Pavlos Christoforakis 6-4, 2-6, 6-2
Under-18
[1] Reuben De Klerk (NW) bt Willem De Waal (WC) 6-3, 1-6, 7-6