Cuba to host ITF Juniors event

Despite challenging times, The Caribbean country is gearing up to welcome the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors competitions for the first time in six years, sparking excitement within the nation’s tennis community.

Bringing international tournaments back to the island marks a significant achievement, as Cuba has not hosted such events since June 2019. In a broader context, the last professional ITF World Tennis Tour tournament held in the country dates back to 2011. The return of ITF competition, with two J30 tournaments set for April, presents a vital chance for young players to gain ranking points.

Cuba's ongoing financial struggles, worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic, have made hosting such events a challenge. However, thanks to the dedication of the Federación Cubana de Tenis and support from local sponsors, those barriers are being overcome. A major breakthrough came in 2023 when the courts at the national tennis centre were fully resurfaced with assistance from an ITF Facility Grant and a generous contribution from the NGO Kids on the Ball.

"From the perspective of our tennis community, this is a crucial opportunity for many of our juniors to participate at this level," said Cecilia Ancalmo, the ITF's Development Officer for Central America. "Some of these young players have never had the chance to play an ITF event, but they do now. This exposure could lead them to further international competition in the future."

Qualifying for the first J30 La Habana is set to begin on 5 April, with the Main Draw starting on 7 April. The second J30 tournament will follow the week after. "Hosting these tournaments demonstrates to the world that Cuban tennis remains alive and strong," said Nestor Henry, Vice President and Technical Director of the Federación Cubana de Tenis. "It's also a huge motivation for young players who can now test their skills against international competitors and set new goals for their careers."

Tennis continues to gain traction in Cuba. In 2024, 3,598 children participated in the country’s ITF Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI) across 41 venues. Additionally, over 11,500 entries were recorded in competitions for players aged 14 and under, involving individuals from the JTI program. For context, the JTI is a national development program supported by the ITF, designed to introduce children under 14 to tennis. Many first pick up a racket through this initiative.

From there, young players are encouraged to take part in locally organised competitions and training sessions at schools, community centres, and tennis clubs. Those who show the most promise receive additional support to further develop their skills.