Schoenhaus and Vandromme seal ITF Junior Finals glory in Chengdu
Germany’s Max Schoenhaus and Jeline Vandromme of Belgium were the big winners as they sealed the boys’ and girls’ titles respectively at the 2025 ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Finals in Chengdu, China.
The ITF Junior Finals – the junior equivalent of the ATP and WTA Finals – is one of the most prestigious tournaments on the junior calendar. The Finals are both a celebration of junior excellence and a proven step towards the elite professional game.
Once again, those qualities were showcased in abundance as on-court brilliance was matched by the experiences off it as players were immersed in Chinese culture and given glimpses as to what life as a pro is like.
At times, the tennis was breathtaking, with Schoenhaus and Vandromme writing their names into the event's illustrious history and, in doing so, becoming the first players from their nations to triumph at the ITF Junior Finals.
Both players have also surged to a career-high No. 2 in the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Rankings as a result of their title-winning heroics.
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For Schoenhaus, this was a standout moment of an extremely consistent season, having reached at least the quarter-finals of all three Junior Grand Slams he contested.
He made it to the boys’ final at Roland Garros where he lost to fellow German Niels McDonald, while earlier this month he claimed the maiden professional title of his career on the ITF World Tennis Tour – at M15 Monastir.
The boys’ title in Chengdu was sealed following a 6-2 6-0 victory over Romania’s Yannick Alexandrescou, a replay of which can be watched on the ITF’s junior tennis livestreaming platform.
Schoenhaus had earlier beaten American duo Benjamin Willwerth and Jack Kennedy during the round-robin, while defeat to Spain’s Andres Santamarta Roig did not prevent him advancing to the semi-finals.
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There he played Italy’s Jacopo Vasami, who was forced to retire through injury while trailing 5-0 in the opening set, before a comprehensive victory over Alexandrescou sealed in the title.
“I am very happy that I played my best tennis of the whole week in the final,” said Schoenhaus. “With eight of the best junior players here, it is always tough to compete.
“I really like all the boys and we’re close friends, so it is never easy to play them, but I am very happy that I got the title and played my best tennis.
"My team and I kept it really simple before the final, as we tend to do. We focus on me a lot, maybe one or two specific things about the opponent. This helped me a lot, to talk before the final and focus on my side of the court.
“We’re going to fly home now and will celebrate a little bit.”
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On the girls’ side, Vandromme’s victory was another magical moment of an incredibly special year. The 17-year-old claimed her maiden Junior Grand Slam title in September after conquering all before her at the US Open.
Vandromme has also won four events on the ITF World Tennis Tour Women’s, including a career-best title at W35 Roehampton alongside triumphs at W15 Manacor and at two editions of W15 Monastir.
The teenager, who enjoyed a successful Billie Jean King Cup debut in April during Belgium’s victory over France, defeated Spain’s Charo Esquiva Banuls, Kristina Penickova of the United States and Germany’s Julia Stusek in the round robin.
Great Britain’s Hannah Klugman was then dispatched in the semi-finals before a second meeting with Penickova went the way of Vandromme, who was forced to recover from a set down.
“I don’t know if I can put it into words – it is unbelievable,” said Vandromme, who was making her second appearance at the ITF Junior Finals. “It was a crazy match and Kristina played amazingly.
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“I am just really happy that I fought for every point and to win this title is an unbelievable feeling. Kristina plays aggressively and very fast, so I knew I had to stay low and have quick feet. I just kept reminding myself that I needed to keep doing that and keep disciplined.
“It is top secret so I cannot tell you what is in my notebook [which Vandromme keeps courtside], but there are just a few reminders in there. When I feel like I need to read it, I read it.
“When I get home, I just want to celebrate with my family – have some good food and enjoy good company.”
Schoenhaus and Vandromme have both earned 1000 ranking points – the same as Junior Grand Slam champions receive – following their triumphs.
All players on show in Chengdu will also benefit from travel grants to support their future progression to professional tennis.
A record $220,000 USD will be paid out this year in travel grants, with the 2025 winners receiving up to $23,000, with the grants then staggered through to those finishing in eighth place.