Switzerland and Italy triumph at World Tennis 14&U Junior Team Finals
Switzerland and Italy have been crowned champions at the 2026 World Tennis 14&U Junior Team Finals in Prostejov and now boast the title of the world’s best team in the 14-and-under age category.
Switzerland’s boys were crowned champions for the third time in their history – and first time since 2022 – as they came from behind to defeat Brazil in a pulsating final.
Had Brazil triumphed it would have been the first time a team from Brazil, whether boys or girls, had lifted silverware in the competition, which was first contested in 1991.
The South Americans were a set away from storming into an unassailable 2-0 lead in the final, only for Richard Mitchell to instigate a stunning comeback. He defeated Vitor Marques Moraes 6-7 6-2 6-3 to level the tie at 1-1.
View this post on Instagram
This followed Dante Monte’s earlier victory over Jonas Waelti, while the tie was decided by doubles as Waelti and Noah Honsberger triumphed 6-4 3-6 10-6 to send the Swiss team into unbridled celebration. Unforgettable stuff.
The girls’ final also went the distance and was decided by doubles as Olivia Serena Conticello and Giulia Luchetti joined forces to great effect, defeating Ayaka Iwasa and Shina Okuyama 6-7 6-3 10-4.
Luchetti had earlier fired Italy into a 1-0 lead following a 6-4 6-2 victory over Iwasa, only for Okuyama to haul her nation level by dispatching Conticello 6-1 0-6 6-3 in the tie’s second singles match.
Luchetti, Conticello and Giorgia Lanza have made history by becoming the first Italian girls’ team to lift silverware in the World Tennis14&U Junior Team Competition. A special moment and one that will be remembered forever.
View this post on Instagram
Impressing at this event is no guarantee of future success and there is a long way to go for all players on show at the 2026 World Tennis 14&U Junior Team Finals in respect of forging a professional tennis career.
That said, all players will have benefitted hugely from the experience. In many cases, these Finals will have been a player’s first experience of international team competition and the first time they will have faced an opponent from a particular nation or region.
As we have been saying all week, this event has played a significant part in the development of many players who have gone on to play on some of the biggest stages the game has to offer. Check out some of these names!
The class of 2026 have strolled in some lofty footsteps and their time in Prostejov and at the World Tennis 14&U Junior Team Finals will hopefully stand them in very good stead in the months and years ahead.