Mexico's Pacheco makes history as new junior world No. 1
Central America has a rising tennis star after Mexico’s Rodrigo Pacheco made history by surging to No. 1 in the ITF World Tennis Tour boys’ rankings following his all-conquering triumph at J500 Milan.
The 18-year-old was in stunning form all week, dropping just one set in singles as he made his way to the final where he dispatched Cooper Williams of the United States to claim the second J500 title of his career. He also teamed up with Yaroslav Demin to great effect in doubles as the duo advanced to the final where they dispatched Italy's Federico Cina and Rei Sakamoto of Japan.
If his exploits in Milan were not impressive enough, Pacheco is now the first player from the COTECC (Central American and Caribbean Tennis Confederation) region to reach the junior world No. 1 spot since the rankings were combined in 2004.
Prior to 2004, a year-end junior champion was recognised in both singles and doubles whereas now the junior rankings are combined and take into consideration a player’s performance in both singles and doubles.
Pacheco has long since flickered on the radar of emerging talent and in 2021 he starred for Mexico at the Davis Cup Juniors Finals as his nation reached the semi-finals before succumbing to France.
The powerful left-hander’s potential was further recognised when he received an ITF International Junior Player Grant in 2021 and ITF-administered Grand Slam Player Grants, financed through the Grand Slam Player Development Programme, in 2022 and earlier this year.
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Pacheco, who already has extensive experience on the ITF World Tennis Tour, will now turn his attentions towards the Roland Garros Junior Championships, which get underway on Sunday, as he bids for a maiden Junior Grand Slam title.
For now, however, he can bask in the glory of following in some lofty footsteps. In the last 20 years alone, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexei Popyrin, Elena Rybakina, Marketa Vondrousova, Alexander Zverev, Belinda Bencic, Katerina Siniakova, Sloane Stephens and Simona Halep have all topped the podium at J500 Milan.
“My feeling now is amazing,” said Pacheco. “I think this is the hardest J500 tournament on the circuit, it’s like another Grand Slam. I played amazing all week and I’m so happy with this result. Winning a J500, it is something big for me and my team.
“I prepared very well for the final and I knew I had a very good chance to win. I saw how many good players had won this tournament and I wanted to be one of them. This is the most important win for me as a junior, it is my second J500 title and I am very happy.”
Pacheco was joined on the winners’ podium by Kaitlin Quevedo of the United States, who came out on top in the girls’ singles draw to seal her first title of her season and the biggest of her career at junior level. The 17-year-old also has three professional titles to her name.
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Quevedo enjoyed a hugely productive 2022 season, lifting silverware at three ITF World Tennis Tour Women's events as well as four at junior level, and has now risen nine places to No. 6 in the girls’ rankings.
Her latest triumph was sealed when Slovakia’s Renata Jamrichova was forced to retire after the opening set of the final, which Quevedo had won 7-5.
“It's incredible, this victory means a lot to me,” said Quevedo. “I’m working really hard and I’m so happy with what I was able to do here. I have no words, I’m just happy.
“J500 Milan is really big, it’s the best tournament I have had as a junior. I would like to continue like this at Roland Garros as my goal is to win a Junior Grand Slam. I would love to win at Roland Garros as that’s my favourite tournament.”
In the girls' doubles, Italian pair Noemi Basiletti and Gaia Maduzzi conquered all before them to be crowned champions, defeating Tyra Grant of the United States and Great Britain's Hephzibah Oluwadare in the final
J500 tournaments provide premier playing opportunities for players on the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors and offer significant ranking points, prestige and glamour to those who are crowned champions.
In short, they are one rung below Junior Grand Slams and J500 Milan was the fourth of seven such events on the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors during a packed 2023. The next J500 is in Osaka, Japan in October.