'How many times do you get to be world champion?': Switzerland triumph
When the final Germany return went long, Thomas Gunzinger and Flynn Thomas embraced, while Swiss captain Roberto Bresolin and Alex Bergomi charged on court to join the celebrations. It was quite a moment.
Switzerland had just won the ITF World Junior Tennis boys’ title for the second time in history – their first trophy at this level since 2017 – and would later be crowned the best 14-and-under team on the planet.
Gunzinger and Thomas have this week developed as a ferocious pairing, winning each of the three doubles matches they have contested, all of which were the decisive victories in their ties.
On this occasion, they held their nerve to overcome formidable German duo Diego Dedura-Palomero and Niels McDonald for the second time this week following a similar success in the group stage.
That stage of proceedings arrived courtesy of a 6-0 6-4 singles victory for Thomas over McDonald, which retrieved the situation after Alex Bergomi had suffered a 6-0 6-1 reverse at the hands of Dedura-Palomero.
“There are not many times in your life that you reach this level of emotion,” Bresolin told itftennis.com. “How many times do you get to have the title of world champion? That is why I am a bit emotional. It was a real team effort, and I am very happy and very proud.
“Quite honestly, I didn’t expect it, but I am delighted for the boys. We have been together 10 days and within that we have had to manage many different moments, especially off court, but we have been taking it one step at a time.
“Winning this tournament is a big step towards their future, but just because you are world champion at 14-and-under level, it doesn’t mean you will always be the best in the world, but that step has been taken and it’s now up to the boys to keep on working hard and improving.
“It is a great moment in their careers, however, and should gain much confidence from it. They have also learned how to manage tension in these kinds of moments.”
It is well known that all 96 players on show in Prostejov this week are following in the footsteps of some illustrious names. The likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Iga Swiatek, Daniil Medvedev, Ashleigh Barty, Marketa Vondrousova, Ons Jabeur and Coco Gauff have all competed here.
As Bresolin alludes, the pathway for all competitors is clear and the above names should provide enormous inspiration for Gunzinger, Flynn, Bergomi and the entire class of 2022. It is also worth noting that not all of those esteemed names triumphed here so there is no disgrace in losing.
Indeed, it was a day that promised so much for Germany, who were bidding to become the first nation since USA in 2008 to win the boys’ and girls’ title in the same year, but ultimately silverware slipped from their grasp in both draws.
However, as their captain Peter Pfannkoch suggested after their semi-final triumph over Kazakhstan, the progression and development of his team in the space of the last seven days has been noticeable, which is the founding principle of the tournament.
Roll on, 2023!
Final placings:
1) Switzerland 2) Germany 3) USA 4) Kazakhstan 5) Slovenia 6) Argentina 7) Bulgaria 8) Korea, Republic, 9) Italy 10) Czech Republic 11) Japan 12) Ecuador 13) Colombia 14) Morocco 15) Mexico 16) South Africa