Behind the scenes: Grand Slam Touring Team

Seventeen players took part in two international 18-and-under GSDF Teams on a tour of Europe over a nine-week period in the summer of 2018, and we went behind the scenes to find out more about it.

The teams, which are financed by the Grand Slam Development Fund (GSDF), provide players not only with the opportunity to take part in top level international competition but also the invaluable experience of travelling abroad as part of a team under the guidance of an ITF coach.

"The touring team programme has been running for many years," said Juan Manuel Esparcia, one of five coaches on the touring team along with Roberta Burzagli (BRA), Petra Russegger (AUT), Suresh Menon (MAS) and Gianluca Carbone (ITA).

"It's a great opportunity for the players because some of them have come from different countries, without this programme probably wouldn't be able to play in these types of tournaments."

The players involved certainly know the value of the programme.

"For me the best thing about being part of the touring team is that we have good players, coaches and fitness coaches," said Touring Team member, Stefan Palosi, of Romania.

"It's just amazing," added Argentina's Ana Geller, sister of former junior world No. 1 Axel Geller. "We get to be on a tour with different people that come from very different parts of the world and we get to know lots of people, lots of cultures, and learn a lot from each other."