Some of Britain’s most promising tennis players will be showcasing their talent at the Aegon International in Eastbourne next week.
Claire Curran and Judy Murray will lead a strong under 18 British girls’ team in the 37th Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy as they look to once again defeat their American counterparts.
The trophy, which will take place on June 20th and 21st at Devonshire Park, will see the teams battle it out over eight singles and four doubles matches to determine the overall winner.
Great Britain’s victory last year – they won 8-4 – saw them claw one back in the series which the US leads 24-12 but with Hemel Hempstead’s Katie Dunne and Leicester’s Katie Boulter – Britain’s top two junior players – likely to be in the team they will be hoping to narrow that gap again.
However, with current world junior no.1 and reigning Australian Open Junior Champion Taylor Townsend in the USA’s ranks Curran’s girls face a formidable test.
“The American team is very strong,” said Curran. “But we’ve assembled an excellent squad and I know the girls are extremely excited to be playing in Eastbourne.
“The Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy has a long and illustrious history and these girls want to be part of that.”
Men's Tennis Manager Martin Weston is charged with leading the boys challenge in the 2nd Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Junior Challenge Trophy, also an under 18 contest against the USA. The trophy will run in the same format as the girl’s competition, on the same days.
The inaugural tournament took place in Eastbourne last year and Britain will be hoping to make it two in a row following their 6-2 victory in 2012.
Weston is confident that his line-up of Cameron Norrie, Luke Bambridge and Jonny O’Mara, Evan Hoyt has all of the skill and power to win for a second time.
“Some of the boys played in the winning team last year and with a year’s more experience under their belts they will be even better equipped,” said Weston.
“The likes of Luke and Evan have played in a number of junior Grand Slams now and that will certainly help against a very strong USA team.
“It’s also a fantastic opportunity for them to compete on grass courts ahead of the important ITF at Roehampton and the Junior Championships, Wimbledon and also great to play alongside a tour event with the level of interest and different pressures that brings.”
America’s team will feature Stefan Kozlov, Noah Rubin, Spencer Papa, Luca Corinteli and Thai Kwiatkowski.
“The 37th Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy and 2nd LTA Junior Challenge Trophy provide a great opportunity to see some of the young British talent coming through. I urge you to come and join us,” added Simon Jones, Head of Performance Support at the LTA.