CORI GAUFF, ALEXANDER BERNARD HEADLINE TOP U.S. JUNIORS COMPETING IN WORLD JUNIOR TENNIS FINALS
U.S. Girls, Boys Vying for Gold in 14-and-Under World Team Competition August 7-12 in Prostejov, Czech Republic
Each three-player team will compete with 15 other nations from around the world, first in round-robin matches, then in a knockout bracket. More information can be found on the International Tennis Federation’s website.
World Junior Tennis – Girls Cori Gauff (13, Delray Beach, Fla.; Coach: Gerard Loglo) Charlotte Owensby (14, Boca Raton, Fla.; Coach: Yulia Beygelzimer) Gabriella Price (14, Boca Raton, Fla.; Coach: Rick Macci) Captain: USTA National Coach Maureen Diaz
World Junior Tennis – Boys Alexander Bernard (13, Bonita Springs, Fla.; Coach: Rene Gomez) Martin Damm (13, Bradenton, Fla.; Coaches: Ashley Hobson, Martin Damm) Toby Kodat (14, Bradenton, Fla.; Coach: Ales Kodat) Captain: USTA National Coach Jon Glover
Gauff, who was the subject of this ESPN.com profile, recently advanced to the singles and doubles semifinals at the USTA Girls’ 18s National Clay Court Championships. Price earned comparisons from renowned coach Rick Macci to past champions he has coached, including the Williams sisters. Owensby won the Girls’ 14s singles title at the prestigious Easter Bowl junior tournament in March and partnered with Gauff to win the doubles title at the 14-and-under Nike Junior International Teen Tennis tournament in January in Bolton, England.
Bernard is the No. 3-ranked player in the USTA Boys’ 14s national standings and won the Boys’ 14s singles title at the Easter Bowl in March. Kodat was the boys’ singles champion at Nike Teen Tennis, defeating Damm in the all-American final. Kodat is rated by TennisRecruiting.net as its No. 2 rising freshman in the country, while Bernard and Damm are rated Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in the Class of 2022.
The U.S. girls finished second and the boys third at last year’s World Junior Tennis Finals. The U.S. has won six World Junior Tennis girls’ titles (1992, 2007-10, 2013) and four World Junior Tennis boys’ titles (2002-03, 2008, 2012). Former U.S. junior international team members include Jim Courier, Andy Roddick, James Blake, Lindsay Davenport, and Sloane Stephens. Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic also have represented their respective countries in junior international team competition.
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