Indian tennis players have a new avenue to secure a coveted spot in the junior French Open, thanks to the launch of the Roland-Garros Junior Series.
This innovative qualifying event, slated to take place from October 16-25 in Tokyo, will also extend this opportunity to other aspiring players across Asia.
The journey to Tokyo begins with regional qualifying tournaments in Kazakhstan and China. The Kazakh leg will be held from August 5-9, followed by the Chinese tournament from August 11-17.
Players from these events, both boys and girls, will compete for a place in the Tokyo finals.
The top two finalists from each category will earn their tickets to Tokyo, where the ultimate winners will be granted direct entry into the 2025 junior French Open.
This initiative is a result of a collaborative agreement between the French Tennis Federation (FFT) and the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF).
The effort aims to bolster the representation of Asian youth in the professional and junior international tennis rankings, which have traditionally been dominated by Europe and North America.
Yuriy Polskiy, President of the ATF, expressed his enthusiasm for the project: "It's a heartening time to witness the launch of the Roland-Garros Junior Series in Asia. This collaboration between FFT and ATF is a significant step forward. We are excited to offer this premium opportunity to our juniors, allowing them to compete for a prestigious spot in the 2025 Roland-Garros Junior. Roland-Garros holds a special place in the hearts of tennis enthusiasts and inspires our aspiring players."
Kei Nishikori, the first Asian tennis player to win an Olympic medal and reach a Grand Slam final, serves as the tournament ambassador, adding significant prestige to the event.
The Roland-Garros Junior Series has already been successful in Latin America, particularly in Brazil since 2022. Notable players like Joao Fonseca, who won the first edition and is now on the cusp of breaking into the ATP Top 200, have emerged from this initiative.
Amélie Mauresmo, the Roland-Garros tournament director, shared her excitement about expanding the series to Asia: "After witnessing the success of the Roland-Garros Junior Series in Brazil, I am thrilled to bring this world-class event to Japan. In collaboration with the Asian Tennis Federation and Japanese Tennis Association, we aim to support the best Asian juniors and provide them with a unique Roland-Garros experience on clay in Tokyo."
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