Junior champs Mochizuki and Snigur reflect on Wimbledon, one year on
For Shintaro Mochizuki and Daria Snigur, this is no doubt a bittersweet week. One year ago, they became boys’ and girls’ singles champions at Wimbledon, the crowning achievements of their respective junior careers – but rather than returning to the All England Club in 2020, they are among the band of players worldwide still awaiting the return of tennis, halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was sad when I first heard it,” admits Mochizuki, whose hopes of mounting a title defence in 2020 ended when Wimbledon was cancelled for the first time since the Second World War. “I wanted to play again this year, but it cannot be helped.”
Two champions tied by their success at SW19, Japan’s Mochizuki and Snigur, from Ukraine, are very different characters both on and off the court. Mochizuki, a year younger than Snigur, is naturally shy, but with a racket in his hand he carries himself with a swagger that feeds into to his game, an all-court fully-stocked repertoire capped by an eye-catching backhand.
By contrast, Snigur is as direct in conversation as she is in a rally. She talks with refreshingly candor about her own game, often self-critical to a fault. But her unconventional flat-hitting baseline style and approach to the game – she detests slice, both facing it and playing it – belies an astute, clear-thinking mind, quick feet and gifted hands.
“Grass is my favourite surface – I like it very much because points are short and fast,” said Snigur, who backed up her victory at Roehampton J1 with triumph at The Championships. On both occasions beating USA’s Alexa Noel in the final, recovering from 4-1 down in the opening set of the second encounter to win 6-4 6-4.
“I was shocked and happy at the same time. I think the final stood out because there was a real fight. It was hard for me to adapt to her game.”
While Snigur followed in the footsteps of fellow Ukrainians Kateryna Bondarenko, Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk by claiming a girls’ singles Grand Slam title, Mochizuki became just Japan’s second junior singles champion, and the nation’s first male player to win a junior title.
“Wimbledon was my favourite Grand Slam since I was young – I dreamed about it a lot,” he said , his victory owed as much to his grit and stamina as it did to his game. Having won an extended third set in his opening match against France’s Valentin Royer, he repeated the feat in the semi-final victory over Martin Damm, prevailing 10-8 in the third.
“I thought I was going to lose, especially in the semi-finals,” he admits. “But I just tried my best and used my experience so I could make it through."
There was no stopping him in the final. After overcoming some early nerves on a packed No.1 Court, he eased past surprise finalist Carlos Gimeno Valero of Spain in straight sets.
“I remember after a match, there were many interviews and I was really nervous,” Mochizuki said. “But it was awesome. The club was so big and nice. I love the club – it was a very special moment for me to win at the All England Lawn Tennis Club.
“Next time I also want to win in the men’s event. I really want to play and win Wimbledon again.”
For 17-year-old Mochizuki, 2021 offers him one final season in the junior division – a year 18-year-old Snigur would advise him to exploit after signing off in style at SW19 before joining the professional ranks.
“I wanted to play more professional tournaments last year, but I have the most pleasant memories of my junior career,” said the Ukrainian, who played her last regular-season junior event at Wimbledon before her swansong appearance at the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Finals in Chengdu, where she reached the final.
“I wish every young player would complete their junior career – girls should advance from ITF Juniors, not simply play professionally from the age of 15. Junior tournaments gave me the possibility to prepare for the ITF World Tennis Tour. It is an excellent experience. Thanks to my junior career, I feel I have reached a high level and believe in my efforts.”