Australia, 15 March 2024 | Leigh Rogers

Six promising junior athletes have been selected to represent Australia at the 2024 ITF World Junior Tennis Asia/Oceania Qualifying event in Malaysia.

This annual international team competition sees the world’s best 14-and-under athletes compete for national glory.

The girls’ competition runs in Kuching from 18-23 March, followed by the boys’ event from 25-30 March.

The Australians are among 16 national teams hoping to earn a coveted spot at the ITF World Junior Tennis Finals, held in the Czech Republic from 5-10 August.

Emilie Chen, who won the Australian Open Asia-Pacific Elite Trophy in January, leads the Australian girls’ team.

Jennifer Ott, the winner of the 14/u singles title at the 2023 Australian Junior Hardcourt Championships in October, and Vesna Marinkov, the younger sister of Australia’s No.2-ranked junior boy Pavle Marinkov, will also don the green and gold.

Lucas Han, the winner of the 14/u singles title at the Australian Junior Grasscourt Championships in January, spearheads the boys’ team.

He is joined by Heaton Pann, the runner-up at the Australian Junior Grasscourt Championships, and Taiki Takizawa, who impressively won eight matches to claim a 14/u singles title as a qualifier on the Tennis Europe Junior Tour in January.

“Junior tours provide an exceptional and unique opportunity for young players to learn and grow on and off the court,” said Rohan Fisher, Tennis Australia’s Manager – Tours, Camps and College.

“As well as representing Australia and competing against the best junior players in the Asia/Oceania region, the athletes will learn pivotal life skills and enjoy an experience that will assist in their long-term development as players and people.

“Good luck to all of the selected athletes, we’re sure you’ll make Australia proud.”

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