The Asia-Pacific Elite 14 & Under Trophy has concluded at Melbourne Park, with Arnav Paparkar from India, and Hikari Yamamoto from Japan taking out the boys’ and girls’ Trophy respectively in the second iteration of the event.
Sixteen elite juniors from Asia-Pacific including players from French Polynesia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Australia came together to compete at Melbourne Park as part of Tennis Australia's commitment to increasing opportunities in tennis throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for talented players from the Asia-Pacific region to experience the AO both as a player and spectator, with the aim of encouraging them to continue progressing through the tennis pathway,” Asia-Pacific Elite 14 & Under Trophy Tournament Director, David Boyes said.
“It was fantastic to see this group of talented players come together, compete well, and forge important friendships. We hope that providing this experience will put these players on the path to one day compete in the Australian Open main draw.”
Foreign Minister Penny Wong, along with tennis legend Paul McNamee, Tennis Australia Director of Government, Social Impact and Stakeholder Relations Vicki Reid, and Oceania Tennis Federation board members presented trophies to all 16 competitors.
“This tournament provides an invaluable opportunity for the next generation of elite athletes from across our region to compete” Foreign Minister Senator the Hon Penny Wong said.
“Young people from different cultures, different languages and different backgrounds are able to find common ground, connect, and build lasting friendships through tennis.
“It's tournaments like these that highlight and reinforce the unique power of sport to bring us together.”
Asia-Pacific Elite 14 & Under Trophy final standings
Boys
1. Arnav Paparkar (India)
2. Kunanan Pantaratorn (Thailand)
3. Cho Min Hyuk (Republic of Korea)
4. Zachariah Wu (New Zealand)
5. Kanta Watanabe (Japan)
6. Hiva Kelley (French Polynesia)
7. Devesh Sarawanan (Malaysia)
8. Taiki Takizawa (Australia)
Girls
1. Hikari Yamamoto (Japan)
2. Albina Kakenova (Kazakhstan)
3. Jiyun Oh (Republic of Korea)
4. Rosalyn Chan Hau Ching (Hong Kong)
5. Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi (India)
6. Jennifer Ott (Australia)
7. Yashwitha Reddy (New Zealand)
8. Mia Chang (French Polynesia)