The IMG International Junior Championships are being played this week at IMG Academy this week in Bradenton, FL and there’s lots to report.
It’s a collection of many of the best juniors in the world in the 12s, 14s, 16s and 18s divisions and let me say, every player has every shot already. It’s amazing to see.
The best match I saw was in the 18s QF, Brunet of Switzerland vs Jack Kennedy of New York. Brunet has a one hander that Federer would adore. And Kennedy is a small kid but one of those genius players who can compete with anyone. Brunet won a barnburner 64 in the third. The action was so impressive I had to give each a copy of my Facing Bjorn Borg book after. Both were very kind and appreciative. Incredible match with dozens of people watching on an outer court.
Another good match was this 4 year old Ukrainian Soffia Bielinska in doubles vs. two Americans which went to 14-12 in the third set tiebreaker. Bielinska is already winning money tournaments at the Battle of Boca. The match got edgy because the two Ukrainians got annoyed with the father of one of the Americans and his overly positive attitude and compliments, and so they lost the first set and were down a break in the second but they dug deep.
Two ex pros are here Bryden Klein and Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania who are guiding an Australian group of kids competing. Dulgheru once beat Dinara Safina when she was 2 in the world and reached 25 herself by her body broke down, six surgeries total on knees and wrists.
Jimmy Arias, the head of IMG tennis, was present at a practice between Michael Mmoh and Stefan Kozlov, two friends who have known each other since 12s.
A couple of interesting comments I learned was that intimidation is a part of pro tennis. And one WTA player was so confident she would tell her next round opponent, “I am going to destroy you tomorrow.”
One year Maria Sharapova was feeling so cocky at Australian Open that in the player lounge lobby area where the trophy was on display, she actually announced to everyone present that the trophy was going to be hers that year. There were dozens of WTA players there at that moment. Maria ended up not winning the title that year 2012, losing the final to Azarenka 36 06.
The IMG Academy has grown since I was last here two years ago, huge dorms have been added to where courts used to be. Every student here wears IMG clothing, shorts, shirts, sweats, sweat pants, the dress code is in effect. You don’t see one kid wearing jeans or non IMG.
The scoop of the day was learning Nick Kyrgios won a practice match in Sydney 62 63 vs ATP top 30 Jordan Thompson, and he also lost a practice match to Thommo earlier in the week. Nick’s hard work is paying off and he will play Brisbane and AO.
Bjorn Borg · Bradenton · IMG · IMG Academy
Scoop Malinowski · December 8, 2024 at 9:49 am
Zoo tennis reports of the IMG tourney… http://tenniskalamazoo.blogspot.com/