USA sweep Junior Billie Jean King Cup, Junior Davis Cup titles
USA were crowned the 2024 Junior Billie Jean King Cup and Junior Davis Cup champions after each of their boys' and girls' under 16 teams overcame Romania in the title matches in Antalya, Turkiye on Saturday.
USA's boys' won the final 2-0 after singles wins for Keaton Hance and Jack Kennedy, while the girls' team rallied from 1-0 down to defeat Romania courtesy of a tie-levelling single triumph for Tyra Caterina Grant and a doubles triumph for Grant and Julieta Pareja.
It was the first time in 10 years the American teams had completed a sweep of both titles in the same event, and continued the girls' dominance in the competition with their sixth title since 2017.
"It’s such a special feeling," said girls' captain Georgi Rumeov. "This team is so unique. I knew how good the players are but the priority was to build the team and get that unity. Everyone of these girls did an amazing job since we got here and it’s been just fun at the same time.
"I’m really proud of these girls, of this team, and how they represent their country.
"It should be one of the most memorable, important days of their lives. Moving on in their career I think it’s something they’re always going to remember.
"Playing under pressure in a team environment is something we don’t experience too often, but I think for them it’s so valuable, and hopefully something they’ll remember forever.”
The American boys, meanwhile, clinched their first Junior Davis Cup title since 2014, after runner-up finishes in 2017, 2019 and 2022.
"What a moment it was," said 16-year-old Kennedy after winning the decisive point with a 6-3 6-2 triumph over Yannick Theodor Alexandrescou. "After that winning moment just to look at my team on the sidelines and have that big smile on my face. Knowing that all the stuff we’ve been through, me and the team, since we were 13-years-old. With our coach Jose, giving us all these opportunities just to be here. It was a special moment with all of us.
"After that match point was finished, the relief and the excitement that we all felt together is something you can’t describe with words. It was a dream come true."
Despite their defeat, it was a historic effort from Romania, who saw their boys' and girls' teams through to a maiden final with the boys' having never previously competed at the Finals prior to this year.
The competition is a hugely important event in terms of player development. Previous Davis Cup Juniors and Billie Jean King Cup Juniors winning teams have featured the likes of Rafael Nadal, Ashleigh Barty, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov, Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, Marketa Vondrousova and Coco Gauff.