Players in training under HKTA programmes were well represented amongst the various age group finals at the recently concluded Comp 1 of the 20th edition of the Hong Kong Junior Tennis Series. In sum, NTS players won 4 of the 8 singles finals contested, while either an all-NTS or a part-NTS tandem captured each of the five doubles titles on offer.

Fourteen-year-old NTS player, Martin Lee, was the biggest winner of Comp 1, as the La Salle College student defeated Tommy Lam, 6-1, 7-6(4), to win the B14 singles, as well as sharing the spoils with Aziz Khan as co-champions of the B18 singles. In the doubles, Martin Lee teamed up with fellow NTS member, Vincent Yau, to capture the B18 title.

Over on the girls' side, Junior NTS player Carina Ma Ka Man also claimed multiple trophies, as she won the G14 singles by beating NTS member, Carina Chen, in the final. In addition, Carina Ma also picked up runner-up silverwares in the G18 singles and G14 doubles.

Complete Comp 1 Results

However, besides Martin Lee, the only other Comp 1 competitor to take home more than one winner's trophy was Junior NTS player, Abigail Chiu.

Seeded third in the G12 singles, she beat top-seeded Alvina Lai in the semifinals before seeing off surprise finalist, Claire Spackman, who had earlier upset No. 2 seed Law Wong Chun in the quarterfinals. Abigail then teamed up with fellow Junior NTS member, Suki Law, to claim the G12 doubles as well.

According to the latest HK National Rankings, in the 14 & Under age group, Martin Lee is currently ranked No. 4 in boys' singles, while Carina Ma Ka Man is ranked third in girls' singles. In the 12& Under age group, Abigail Chiu is currently ranked No. 2 in girls' singles and joint-1st in doubles.

Hong Kong Junior Tennis Series now in its 20th year

Last month's Comp 1 was set in motion, and concluded, much like previous editions – business as usual and without much deliberate fanfare. Unnoticed, its continuance had become such an expected norm and a regular fixture on the local tennis calendar that we take it for granted just how many juniors in Hong Kong have participated in it over the previous two decades.

Since 1989, with beginnings at the Sports Institute, the Junior Series remains as popular as ever, as evidenced by the participation of close to some 3,000 racquet-wielding youngsters last year. However, it also serves the all-important function of providing an excellent platform for juniors to acquire competitive, match-play experience at various age groups ranging from the under-10s to under-18s.

By having the option of choosing the age group that best suits the player's progress, such flexibility not only allows them the opportunity to compete against their peers of similar standards, it also gives the players the option of challenging at higher age groups.

Moreover, for those who have the aspirations of competing in ITF World Junior Circuit events but who, otherwise, may have not acquired the proficiency to do so, the Junior Series can act as a valuable alternative for them to better hone their skills.

The Junior Series is divided into a number of Comps, usually six, held throughout the year at various public tennis facilities. This arrangement further serves a set of advantages.

First, since the Series is spread over the course of the year, players who may have prior commitments to schoolwork or other equally important extra-curricular activities may plan and choose the competitions that will best fit their schedules, yet still have the opportunity to remain in contention for the Grand Masters at year's end.

Secondly, with the Comps being staged at various venues as opposed to a singular site, this facilitates broader entries since the burden of geographical inconvenience is greatly minimized.

Over the years, many local tennis standouts had been active participants of the Junior Series before they embarked on competitions that took place on a bigger stage. For instance, former HK Davis Cupper John Hui, who peaked at a career-best ATP men's doubles ranking of No. 157, was in fact the 1992 Junior Series "Best Boy" Award recipient.

That same year, former Hong Kong No. 1 and Fed Cup player, Jacklyn Fu, who went on to captain Yale University's varsity tennis team during her junior and senior years, was also the recipient of the 1992 Junior Series "Best Girl" Award.

Initiated in 1989 and first staged at the Jubilee Sports Centre, this year will mark the 20th anniversary of the Hong Kong Junior Tennis Series. Besides the aforementioned names, many of the territory's best and brightest have also been, at one time or another, active participants of the Junior Series.

Examples that spring to mind include Jason Sankey, Wayne Wong, Jack Hui, Brian Hung, Martin Sayer, Cindy Lee, Venise Chan, Kevin Kung, Ryan Ho, Katherine Ip, to name a few.

Last year, Junior NTS players John Li and Suki Law were the respective Boy and Girl recipients of the John Hui Cup and Jacklyn Fu Plate Sportsmanship Awards.

John Hui Cup & Jacklyn Fu Plate Sportsmanship Awards (2003 – 2008)

Although entries for Comp 2 of the 2009 Hong Kong Junior Tennis Series are now closed, Comp 3 is scheduled to begin on June 27. For details regarding dates, venues, etc, please see the Entry Form.

Should you require further assistance or additional information regarding the Junior Series, please do not hesitate to contact Cindy Tam on 2504 8266 or email her cindytam@tennishk.org.

HONG KONG JUNIOR TENNIS SERIES 2008 — AT A GLANCE
Dates:	April - November, 2008
Events:	Under-10 to Under-18 singles and doubles (Boys & Girls)
Venues:	Aberdeen Tennis & Squash Centre, Morse Park, Lai Chi Kok Park, Chai Wan Park, Quarry Bay Park, Hong Kong Tennis Centre, Tsing Yi Park, Victoria Park Tennis Courts
Participants:	Approximately 3,000 (Six Comps + Year-End Grand Masters)
Related Story:	Grand Masters bring brilliant finish to Junior Tennis Series 2008

Results
Hong Kong Junior Tennis Series 2009 (Comp 1)
Victoria Park/King's Park
March 2009

B18 Singles Final
(5)Martin Lee and (2)Aziz Khan declared joint winners

G18 Singles Final
(1)Ki Yan Tung d. (3)Carina Ma 6-0 6-3

B14 Singles Final
(1)Martin Lee d. (3)Tommy Lam 6-1 7-6(4)

G14 Singles Final
(1)Carina Ma d. (2)Carina Chen 6-3 6-1

B12 Singles Final
(2)Augustin Delahodde d. (1)Andrew Li 6-3 6-0

G12 Singles Final
(3)Abigail Chiu d. Claire Spackman 6-3 6-0

B10 Singles Final
(1)Alan Sou d. Sunny Yue 6-1 6-2

G10 Singles Final
(1)Jacinta Chen d. Hayley Hung 6-2 6-2

B18 Doubles Final
Martin Lee/Vincent Yau d. Lai Ting Yee/Clement Wong 6-4 7-5

B14 Doubles Final
(2)John Li/Tommy Lam d. (1)Lai Ting Yuen/Leung Kai Yuen 6-3 4-6 [10-5]

G14 Doubles Final
(2)Eudice Chong/Carina Chen d. (1)Carina Ma/Christy Chan 6-3 6-0

B12 Doubles Final
(3)Jack Wong/Jackie Tang d. (1)Augustin Delahodde/Andrew Li 7-5 5-7 [10-5]

G12 Doubles Final
(1)Abigail Chiu/Suki Law d. (2)Jamie Wong/Law Wing Chun 6-1 7-5