With 10 teams representing the ITF Development Eligibility ‘Tier 1’ nations in action, Bonia & Herzegovina (4) along with hosts Türkiye (3) were this year’s big winners, walking away with seven titles between them, of the ten on offer.
46th ranked Bosnian Eda Lara Sacirovic won her first ever Junior Tour singles titles, sweeping both the Week 1 and Week 2 14 & Under tournaments. In the boys’ 14&U event, Andrija Martinovic (BIH) was the Week 1 champion, while Marko Aleksovski (MKD) lifted the trophy in Week 2. In the 12&U event, Yigit Uras Yildirim (TUR) and Amajla Kadric (BIH) were the boys’ and girls’ winners respectively.
ITF Development Officer for Europe Vitor Cabral, who oversaw the 12 & Under training camp run during the first week of the Championships commented, “This was a very good edition of the event. A lot of knowledge from previous years contributed to provide the best possible experience for coaches and players. The organisation was impeccable and even the weather was perfect. I am very happy with level of the players which enabled us to complete selection for the ITF/Tennis Europe 14&U Touring Team later this year. Also, from the 12 & Under Training Camp I can say that we will have a great new generation of players for the coming years”
14 & Under Girls
Sacirovic went two weeks without dropping a set and the Bosnian proved to be the event's standout player. Week 1 replicated a 2024 win for team BIH, as Tea Kovacevic was last year’s Week 1 champion. This year, her compatriot defeated Vasilisa Zarecinaia (MDA) 6-2 6-2 in the final. Sacirovic then continued her dominance in the second week with a 6-3 6-3 victory in the final against Maria Azizyan (ARM).
Not to be outdone, Vasilisa Zarecinaia (MDA) & Anastasia-Maria Ciuhrii (MDA) also went unbeaten, winning the doubles event in both weeks.
14 & Under Boys
More trophies came for team BIH in the week one final with Andrija Martinovic (BIH) taking out the top seed, Marko Aleksovski (MKD) 6-2 3-6 7-5 in a riveting final. The North Macedonian made it back-to-back finals, and in his second swing at a title, he outplayed homegrown talent Talha Emin Bulut (TUR), 7-6 6-4 in the final.
Like the girls, there were repeat winners in the boys' doubles, as Bulut teamed with Bekir Devran Esendagli to ensure home winners both weeks.
12 & Under Event
Yigit Uras Yildirim (TUR) was the winner of the boys’ tournament, defeating Matija Stankovic (MNE) 6-1 4-6 6-1 in the final. In the girls’ draw, Amajla Kadric (BIH) was too strong for Andreea Nour (MDA), posting a 6-0 6-3 final win. Ildar Malai (MDA, boys) and Sahra Temiz (TUR, girls) were the bronze medalists.
Doubles (mixed nations):
Boys’ champions: Luka Jorjadze (GEO) & Yigit Uras Yildirim (TUR)
Girls’ champions: Andreea Nour (MDA) & Lina Redza (KOS)
The smooth collaboration between the International Tennis Federation, Tennis Europe, Turkish Tennis Federation, and the local organizers resulted in a flawless edition of the Development Championships. The 10 teams representing ITF Development Eligibility ‘Tier 1’ nations were Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Moldova and Türkiye.
All eligible nations made full use of the available spots for their players on this occasion, meaning that all 14 & Under teams consisted of 2 boys and 2 girls, and all 12 & Under teams of 1 boy and 1 girl, giving a combined total of 60 players accompanied by 2 or 3 coaches in each case. Of the 26 total coaches accompanying the national teams, 40% of the coaches were female this year.
Long established as one of Tennis Europe’s flagship development activities, the Championships were devised to provide top-level playing opportunities for the most promising talents from emerging tennis nations in Europe. Former competitors over the years include the likes of Jelena Ostapenko, Aryna Sabalenka, Marcos Baghdatis and Grigor Dimitrov.
For full results from the Championships, please click the links on the right of the page. Click here for pictures.