Eight of the top-ranked junior boys and four of the leading junior girls will contest the event in Tarbes, France from January 28 to 31.
Only players born on or after January 1, 1998 are eligible to compete this year.
With entries based on the Cruyff Foundation Junior Ranking seven players in the boys’ event and three players in the girls’ event have qualified directly by virtue of their standing, with one wild card awarded for both events.
The tournament will be preceded by a three-day high performance training camp, aimed at ensuring athletes are prepared for the event.
Completing the boys’ field is the United States’ Chris Herman and Casey Ratzlaff, South Africa’s Alwande Skhosana, Belgium’s Jef Vandorpe, Brazil’s Fabio Bernardes, Chile’s Alexander Cataldo, The Netherlands’ Rueben Spaargaren.
“I have been practicing very hard and working alongside the top players like Lucas Sithole has pushed me to work even harder. The junior masters is huge for me and I am very excited to go represent the country in France”, said Skhosana during practice session at UJ Tennis courts in Westdene.
The Johan Cruyff Foundation, named after the legendary Dutch footballer, was founded in 1997 with the aim of giving children the opportunity to play and be active.
“This is a great opportunity for Alwande Skhosana to solidify his game and most importantly to gain international experience. We know for sure that with all the hard work he put and his positive attitude that he will bring great results at home”, said Wheelchair Tennis South Africa General Manager Karen Losch. “We are very thankful to the game sponsor Airports Company South Africa who made all this possible”, commented Losch.
Source: African News Agency (ANA)
