'Tennis is alive': Cuba set to host first ITF Juniors event since 2019
Cuba is preparing to host ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors events for the first time in six years – and excitement is building.
Hosting international tennis tournaments again is a significant milestone for the Caribbean island, having not done so since June 2019. For wider context, the last time Cuba hosted a professional event on the ITF World Tennis Tour was way back in 2011.
The return of ITF competition, with the staging of two J30s in April, provides a crucial opportunity for young players from the nation to earn ranking points and compete against international opponents – crucial steps in their development.
The financial crisis in Cuba, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, has significantly impacted the nation’s ability to organise such events. However, due to the efforts from the Federación Cubana de Tenis, supported by local sponsors, these hurdles are being cleared.
“From the perspective of our tennis community, this is a crucial opportunity for many of our juniors to participate at this level,” said Cecilia Ancalmo, the ITF’s Development Officer for Central America.
“Some of these young players have never had the chance to play an ITF event, but they do now. This exposure could lead them to further international competition in the future.”
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Qualifying for the first J30 La Habana will get underway on Saturday 5 April followed by the Main Draw on Monday 7 April. The second J30 will take place in the following week.
The Federación Cubana de Tenis recognises the challenge of organising these events but also sees it as a chance to showcase the resilience and passion for tennis in Cuba.
“Hosting these tournaments demonstrates to the world that Cuban tennis remains alive and strong," said Nestor Henry, Vice President and Technical Director of the Federación Cubana de Tenis.
"It’s also a huge motivation for young players who can now test their skills against international competitors and set new goals for their careers,”
Interest levels in tennis in Cuba are evident. 3598 children were active within Cuba’s ITF Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI) across 41 venues in 2024. There were also more than 11,500 entries into competitions for players aged 14-and-under by individuals who were part of the JTI.
As a reminder, the JTI is a national tennis development programme for the 14-and-under age group supported by the ITF. In many cases, this is the place where children pick up a racket for the first time.
From here, those children are encouraged to play in locally organised competitions and sessions within schools, the community and tennis venues, with the most talented identified for more focused development.
For players in Cuba and the wider region, having a pthway which includes access to tournaments hosted locally is critical. International travel is expensive, so playing in their home nation offers young Cuban athletes an invaluable chance to gain experience without the long-distance travel costs.
The Federación Cubana de Tenis, meanwhile, is also working hard to promote the events taking place in April by contacting other National Associations in the region. Additionally, they are developing an Instagram page to strengthen their digital presence – an area they acknowledge is a weakness currently, but one they are actively addressing.
As La Habana gears up to host ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors events, the excitement and significance of this moment is undeniable. These tournaments represent a fresh chapter for tennis in Cuba, one filled with promise and opportunity.
The 2024 Global Tennis Report profiles each of the ITF's 213 member nations, including Cuba, and is available via the ITF Academy. The report can be accessed through the Content Library by searching 'Global Tennis Report'.