ITF World Junior Tennis underway in 2026
ITF World Junior Tennis – the ITF’s international team competition for players aged 14 and under – is underway for the 2026 season with pre-qualifying taking place in the Asia/Oceania region.
Earlier this month, itftennis.com reported that Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge and Davis Cup Juniors were also underway. ITF World Junior Tennis is a similar event to Billie Jean King and Davis Cup Juniors but for players aged 14 and under rather than 16 and under.
The goal for all nations at this stage of the ITF World Junior Tennis campaign is to reach the ITF World Junior Tennis Finals, which will this year take place from 3-8 August at Tenisovy Klub Prostejov, Czechia – the home of the Finals since 1999.
Prior to the Finals, regional qualifying events take place around the world to determine the 16 boys’ teams and top 16 girls’ teams that will compete for the title of world champions in Prostejov.
The 2026 tournament was kickstarted by Asia/Oceania pre-qualifying in Phan Thiet, Vietnam. In the boys’ event, Cambodia, Guam, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan and Vietnam competed.
In the girls’ event, Brunei, Cambodia, Guam, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Macau, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific Oceania, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Uzbekistan and Vietnam took to the courts.
In both events, Uzbekistan and Vietnam were the standout performers and now progress to final qualifying in Kuching, Malaysia, which takes place 21 April-3 May.
In the boys’ event, Vietnam and Uzbekistan will join Australia, China, P.R., Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Rep., New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore and Thailand.
In the girls’ event, Uzbekistan and Vietnam will come up against Australia, China, P.R., Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Rep., Malaysia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
In both cases, the four best -performing nations will advance to the Finals.
ITF World Junior Tennis is a real festival of junior tennis and a major developmental step for players as they continue their progression along the player pathway, hopefully to the ATP and WTA Tours.
The following players have all contested the ITF World Junior Tennis Finals, reflecting the importance of this competition in a player’s development: Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Bianca Andreescu, Lorenzo Musetti, Katerina Siniakova, Juan Martin del Potro, Marketa Vondrousova, Alex de Minaur, Ash Barty, Felix Auger Aliassime, Frances Tiafoe, Linda Noskova, Mirra Andreeva, Elina Svitolina and Amanda Anisimova.
As always, those competing in ITF World Junior Tennis in 2026 are keeping very good company.