29 August 2012 | Tennis Queensland

Two Australian 14/u teams travelled to Prostejov, Czech Republic, to compete in the ITF World Junior Tennis Finals. The girls’ team, made entirely of Queensland players, was captained by National Academy Brisbane coach Anthony Richardson and finished sixth overall.

Priscilla Hon (Rochedale), Sara Tomic (Gold Coast), and Kimberly Birrel (Hope Island) represented Australia proudly, before losing the playoff for fifth position against China. The unseeded Solvakian team won the event, defeating second seeds Great Britain 2-1 in the final.

Queensland was represented on the boys’ side by Oliver Anderson (Yeronga), who teamed up with Brian Train (NSW) and Max Purcell (NSW). They were joined by National Academy Sydney coach Jarrad Bunt and finished in ninth place, with the USA team finishing first. In 2007 the Australian boys team of Jason Kubler (Qld), Joey Swaysland (NSW) and Ben Wagland (Qld) won the gold medal in the boy’s event and in 2010 the Aussie girls, Ashleigh Barty (Qld), Isabella Beischer (Vic) and Lyann Hoang (QLD) were awarded Bronze.

Top players who have competed in this event include Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, Tommy Haas, Amelie Mauresmo, Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin.