Photo: Suzie Dyrbus, ITFeuropean junior camp
South African Mariska Venter won player of the week at the annual European International Cruyff Foundation Junior Camp, which was held for the second year in Mechelen, Belgium.
Denis Tas of Turkey was voted coach of the week at the camp which included coaching drills, stretching sessions and theory sessions. The on-court coaching drills focused on technique, mobility and strategy for both singles and doubles while the theory sessions covered topics ranging from nutrition to fitness and conditioning, and the structure of ITF wheelchair tennis.
In the afternoons the 18 players took part in an international junior tournament which was won for the boys by Felix Garcia-Perez (ESP) who defeated his compatriot Martin De la Puenta in a closely fought final 76 64. Venter won the girls' draw after overcoming Russia’s Viktoria Lyvova in the final.
Some players were experienced, having competed for several years whereas for others this was their first taste at training and competing on the international scene.