For anyone who is unaware, the back catalogue of players to have contested Davis Cup Juniors and Billie Jean King Cup Juniors before embarking on hugely successful professional careers is quite staggering.

Since 2015 alone, the likes of world No. 1s Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Coco Gauff, Denis Shapovalov and Marketa Vondrousova have all topped either the Davis Cup Juniors or Billie Jean King Cup Juniors podium.

A list of such esteemed names provides huge inspiration for the modern-day vintage, the class of 2022, who kickstarted their Davis Cup Juniors and Billie Jean King Cup Juniors by BNP Paribas Finals campaign today.

A name with which to conjure this year is Spain’s Martin Landaluce, who is the highest-ranked player across the two events having claimed a staggering six titles this year, including the US Open boys’ title in September.

Landaluce was in sparkling form yet again as Spain – the top seeds at the 2022 Davis Cup Juniors Finals – recovered from a 1-0 deficit to defeat Egypt 2-1 in their opening Group A encounter on the clay courts of Antalya.

Following Rafael Segado’s defeat to Ahmed Monsef in the opening singles showdown, the 16-year-old showed his class by dispatching Nour Fatthala 7-5 6-3 to haul Spain level before teaming up with Carles Cordoba in the doubles.

He and Cordoba defeated Fatthala and Monsef 6-2 6-1, while in the aftermath Landaluce mused how much of an ambition it is for him to one day represent Spain in Davis Cup at senior level.

“There is a lot of inspiration from the individuals who have played this tournament previously,” Landaluce told itftennis.com. “I know all the players who have and there have been so many amazing players who have represented their countries.

“It is fantastic to be here and to follow them. It is also fantastic to dream of being where they are now. Davis Cup is one of the tournaments I want to play in my career. I also want to play the Grand Slams, but definitely Davis Cup with Spain.

“To play with the top guys from my nation would be amazing, but I am also so glad to be here with two great guys now and taking this important step. It’s an amazing feeling to be here and I am so happy to be playing for Spain.”

Davis Cup Juniors and Billie Jean King Cup Juniors are important milestones on the ITF player pathway and Landaluce is certainly showcasing all the hallmarks of a player capable of following an upward trajectory in the coming years.

A significant moment for him came at Flushing Meadows in September when he overpowered Belgium’s Gilles Arnaud Bailly in the final to seal his maiden Junior Grand Slam title. He has since made his debut at ATP Challenger Tour level and admits to feeling somewhat different since.

“I am more confident now following my win at the US Open,” said Landaluce. “But I have the same feeling as before, that I simply have to win my next match. I am no better than I was before the US Open, but I am playing matches with a little more confidence now.”

That could prove pretty ominous for the rest of the field in Antalya. 

Elsewhere in Davis Cup Juniors, there were 2-1 victories for No. 2 seeds USA, although they were given a scare by hosts Türkiye, as well as the much-fancied Brazil and Italy, who defeated Morocco and Great Britain respectively. 

In Bille Jean King Cup Juniors, top seeds USA ruthlessly dispatched Colombia 3-0, with Iva Jovic the star of the show with victory in both the singles and doubles, the latter alongside Clervie Ngounoue. 

Defending champions Czech Republic, meanwhile, defeated Spain 2-1, while No. 3 seeds Australia made a commanding start to proceedings with a 3-0 battering of Tunisia as Serbia outmanoeuvred Netherlands. 

Results

Davis Cup Juniors by BNP Paribas Finals – day one

Group A

Spain 2-1 Egypt

Mexico 1-2 Australia

Group B

Italy 2-1 Great Britain

Czech Republic 3-0 India

Group C

Brazil 2-1 Morocco

Paraguay 0-3 France

Group D

USA 2-1 Türkiye

Argentina 1-2 Japan

Billie Jean King Cup Juniors by BNP Paribas Finals – day one

Group A

USA 3-0 Colombia

Türkiye 2-1 Thailand

Group B

Serbia 2-1 Netherlands

Chile 0-3 Japan

Group C

Australia 3-0 Tunisia

Mexico 1-2 Germany

Group D

Czech Republic 2-1 Spain

Egypt 1-2 Argentina

For a full breakdown of results click here