The Junior International Bolton gets under way at the USN Bolton Arena on Friday 12 January, with junior’s aged 14&under from all across the world converging on the north-west.
The event, which is steeped in history, regularly attracts stars of the future, with last year’s event being no better example. Tennis legend Bjorn Borg was a visitor to the Arena in 2017, overseeing his son Leo progress to the consolation singles final, whilst the USA team dominated the main draw singles. Then 12 year old Cori Gauff, beat compatriot Alexandra Yepifanova to capture the 2017 title, before remarkably going on to reach the final of the US Open Junior in September (an 18&Under event), losing to Amanda Anisimova the Bolton 2015 runner up. Whilst Whitney Osuigwe, a 2nd round loser at Bolton in 2015, is now the number 1 ranked junior in the world.
On the boy’s side as 13 year old’s the 2012 finalists, Francis Tiafoe and Michael Mmoh, are now ranked 79 and 175 in the ATP men’s pro ranking’s, whilst back to back title winner Stefan Kozlov (2010 & 2011) is also closing in on the top 100 of the men’s pro game
Since the inaugural event as Teen Tennis in 1995, it has attracted a very strong field of rising stars from across the globe. A number of previous players having gone on to reach the world’s top 10 including Eugenie Bouchard, Caroline Wozniacki, Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters, Sir Andy Murray, Marcos Baghdatis, and Tomas Berdych. Whilst more recently Jelena Ostapenko, runner-up at Bolton in 2011, sensationally won the French Open in 2017, and is currently ranked 7 in the world.
Richard Joyner, Tournament Director, says ‘This event really is where history and the future meet. The number of players who have gone on to reach the higher echelons of the pro game is seriously impressive. Last year’s girls winner Cori Gauff, then going on to reach the US Open junior final later in the year, really shows the quality of the player field each year’
Joyner added ‘As well as the wealth of players from across the globe, it’s a great opportunity for player’s from the north-west, including some who train at the USN Bolton Arena, to compete against some of the world’s best 14&under players’.
Qualifying is Friday 12 and Saturday 13 January, with main draw Sunday 14 to Friday 19 January.
Entry for spectators is free of charge throughout the week, with play starting 10.00am
As well as coming along to watch, you can also follow the scores through live scoring on:
Tennis Ticker
The updated entry list can be found at:
Tennis Europe