USA clinch eighth Billie Jean King Cup Juniors crown
USA clinched their eighth Billie Jean King Cup junior title in Cordoba, Spain after defeating Czechia in the title match for a second consecutive year.
The Americans, who hadn’t dropped a set all week in a hugely dominant display throughout the international team competition for girls’ aged 16-and-under, clinched a fifth title in the last six editions of the event thanks to singles wins for 15-year-olds Tyra Grant and Iva Jovic.
Grant defeated Alena Kovackova 6-4 6-1 in Sunday’s opening match, before Jovic sealed USA’s clinical triumph with a 6-1 7-5 victory over Laura Samsonova.
The result provided an element of revenge for the Americans, following defeat for their women’s team against Czechia at the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals in Seville on Friday.
“This one was for captain Kathy Rinaldi,” said USA captain Tom Gutteridge. “We wanted to get a little revenge. We were very motivated.
“I couldn’t ask for much more out of the girls. Every day they’ve been so professional, so diligent. They didn’t underestimate any opponents. They took everyone for their best. They came with a job to do and I was proud of them for the way they competed.”
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Jovic has now won two Billie Jean King Cup Junior titles, having also been a part of the USA team that won the title in Antalya, Turkey last year.
“Last year I didn’t play the last two days, so this year I felt more powerful, like I was making a bigger contribution,” admitted Jovic. “I ended up playing for the win, and it was a really nice feeling to take the title home with that match.”
Winning the Billie Jean King Cup Juniors has become something of a blueprint for future success for emerging young players (Iga Swiatek won the title with Poland in 2016, and Coco Gauff triumph with USA in 2018 to name but two), and the American captain is confident that American women’s tennis will continue to thrive in the years to come.
“The future [of American tennis] is in good hands with these girls,” Gutteridge said of Jovic, the junior world No. 14, and Grant, the current world No. 21.
“We’re trying to create a culture, an environment where they’re all pushing each other. They’re doing a great job raising the bar and constantly motivating each other. They’re all great friends, so I think it’s in good hands.”
Re-cap Sunday's final here
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