On the afternoon of October 14, 2023, the draw ceremony for the 2024 International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour Junior Year-End Finals took place in Chengdu, China.
As one of the three major year-end finals in the tennis world, the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Year-End Finals is often referred to as the “cradle of champions.” Many rising stars who shine on the global tennis stage today have emerged from this event, including notable champions like 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko, 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, 2023 Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušová, and 2024 Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen.
This year’s tournament features eight male and eight female players, all ranked among the top in the junior world standings. They will fiercely compete for the championship title, drawing keen interest from fans and the global tennis community as they strive to reach the pinnacle of professional tennis.
Among the participants, Australia’s Emerson Jones, currently ranked first in the junior women’s category, will compete alongside her brother, Hayden Jones, who has also qualified for the finals. When asked about her goals for the tournament, Emerson stated, “I don’t have a particularly clear target in mind; I just hope to keep improving with each step I take.”
During the draw ceremony, ITF President David Haggerty expressed, “The primary purpose of this event is to bridge the gap between junior and professional tennis, and the exceptional facilities here undoubtedly provide the players with a taste of what competing on the professional tour feels like.”
