The juniors are aiming to join the likes of Alex de Minaur, Nick Kyrgios and Ash Barty as they target national 16/u and 18/u titles in Bendigo this weekend.
December 14, 2024, Bendigo, Australia | jackson mansell
The mecca of the Australian Junior National Championships since 2008, the December Showdown has become a barometer for homegrown stars to shine at the sport’s highest level.
Ash Barty was the under 12 champion in his first year of competition and took the 18/u crown in 2011. Nick Kyrgios won the under-18 title in 2012 by beating his future doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis, while Alex de Minaur won back-to-back events. In 2013 and 2014.
This weekend, December 15th, the showdown concludes at the Bendigo Regional Tennis Centre. The best juniors from across the country will battle it out for the 16/u and 18/u Australian titles. This is the first December showdown to be held outside Melbourne Park.
“There is a lot of history to this event. [to 2008] We have a lot of great players participating,” said tournament director Mark Pead.
“I think these people are probably expecting something like that.[I want to have] To have my name on the trophy alongside Ash Barty, Thanasi and Jordan Thompson is quite an achievement.”
“This is the Australian Championship with a few extra things stacked on top of it. “It’s not every day you get to call yourself an Australian champion.”
That milestone already has the potential to be career-changing, but there’s more at stake this weekend than national supremacy.
The winner of the 16/u category will receive a wildcard into the Australian Open 2025 Junior Championships at Melbourne Park, while the 18/u champion will receive a wildcard into the 2025 Australian Pro Tour event.
> READ: Top junior tennis comes to Bendigo
One of the juniors fighting for an Australian Open wildcard is 15-year-old Victorian Ymerali Ibraimi. He already has vivid memories of competing at Bendigo.
“I took part in my first tournament here in Bendigo when I was six and I also played with under-12s. I don’t know if I’m feeling bad this year, but I actually won a match when I was six,” Ibraimi joked. recalled.
“It’s a truly memorable place. I like what they did to the court. “It’s really special to come back here and compete against other hungry athletes.”
“That experience will mean a lot. [to play at the Australian Open]. Seeing what’s out there in the world will help my game a lot. Being able to play in front of Australian fans and show the world who I am will definitely give me a lot of confidence.”
The Demon is ushering in a new era for the next generation 🔥 @alexdeminaur
introduction #DeMinaurJuniorTour 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XWN0buX65w
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) November 4, 2024
The 16/u top seed is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his idol Kyrgios, a previous tournament winner.
“I idolized Kyrgios a lot when I was very young. Even his banner was hung here when he reached the finals of a tournament at the age of 16 and 18,” Ibraimi said.
“It’s a great honor to see me be a part of the tournament he plays in, and I’m really excited to play here where these top players also played.”
Ibraimi was one of more than 190 juniors invited to the two-week event, an honor that instilled confidence in his game.
“Coming here to play tennis is a huge confidence booster. [wildcard] “Joining AO Junior is a big opportunity,” he said.
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Find out how to play: visit play.tennis.com.au Get out on the court and have fun!
