The Suva Tennis Junior Elite Team has triumphantly returned from Australia following an impressive performance at the 25th Annual Margaret Court Cup held in Albury. The team, comprising six players and two coaches, faced a week filled with challenging singles and doubles matches at the prestigious Margaret Court Tennis Academy, where they demonstrated remarkable discipline, resilience, and growing confidence on the international tennis stage.
Amiel Montanari emerged as the standout athlete of the tournament, securing the Men’s C Grade Singles title while also finishing as the runner-up in the C Grade Doubles event. His accomplishments were underscored by a memorable ceremony where tennis icon and 64-time Grand Slam champion Margaret Court personally presented him with his trophy, marking a significant highlight for the young athlete.
The rest of the team also showcased their talents across various junior divisions. Vihaan Sharma finished as runner-up in the Under-16 Boys Singles, while Dhairya excelled by reaching the semi-finals in the Under-14 Boys Singles. Rian Amin made significant progress as well, advancing to the quarter-finals in both the Under-14 Boys Singles and Doubles. In the girls’ events, Bethan May and Milena Montanari each made it to the round of 16 in the Under-14 Girls Singles and Doubles competitions.
Under the guidance of coaches Sumit Lal and Storm Cornish, the tour emphasized not only athletic performance but also sportsmanship and professionalism. The Suva Tennis Association underscored the importance of such international experiences for the long-term growth of Fiji’s young tennis players, as it provides vital exposure to diverse playing styles and elevated levels of competition.
The association expressed its gratitude to the Margaret Court Tennis Academy for hosting the tournament and reiterated its commitment to developing elite pathways for junior tennis players in Fiji, fostering a promising future for the sport in the region.
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