Thursday, December 26, 2024

How Jack Draper, Katie Boulter, Henry Patten & Alfie Hewett led British success in 2024

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The task for British tennis is developing the next generation of talent and avoiding another 35-year wait for a Grand Slam singles champion.

The performances of the British juniors this year – across singles, doubles and team events, external – have provided optimism.

Mika Stojsavljevic, who turned 16 last week, won the US Open girls’ singles title, while 17-year-old Mimi Xu and 18-year-old Charlie Robertson reached the last four in New York.

Henry Searle, 18, who won the Wimbledon boys’ singles in 2023, and 15-year-old Hannah Klugman, winner of the prestigious Orange Bowl junior championships last year, have continued making strides.

“Success in junior tennis is definitely a strong indicator of long-term potential but, of course, it is no guarantee,” said Iain Bates, the LTA’s head of women’s tennis.

“Seeing younger players reaching the back end of junior Slams is a sign of the health of the pathway.”

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