Katie O'Brien, LTA Women's National Coach, said: What a great final. It lived up to expectations again. Mika and Hannah are world-class Juniors and we need to appreciate just how good they are, not just as players but also as competitors.
You can see how much they have matured and they both handled themselves so well in this Final. Both Mika and Hannah would have wanted to win, but they are both looking at the bigger picture as they have huge ambitions for what is to come. They are going to raise each other's level every time they compete against each other.
Interesting to note that Mika has decided to miss the clay court season and has not entered Roland Garros juniors where she would have been the 7th seed.
Interesting to note that Mika has decided to miss the clay court season and has not entered Roland Garros juniors where she would have been the 7th seed.
I noticed that Mimi, although a year or more older seems to be dodging the clay swing as well. Assuming this is to gain ranking points. I wonder if like Mimi, Mika may join the main tour earlier , subject to regulations. not sure TBH. Anyway wish her well.
Interesting to note that Mika has decided to miss the clay court season and has not entered Roland Garros juniors where she would have been the 7th seed.
I noticed that Mimi, although a year or more older seems to be dodging the clay swing as well. Assuming this is to gain ranking points. I wonder if like Mimi, Mika may join the main tour earlier , subject to regulations. not sure TBH. Anyway wish her well.
I've been wondering since the nationals whether Mimi has moved fully to adults and that is why she was not required to play the nationals. Only whether she enters junior Wimbledon will we know one way or the other. Mika I think will want more time on grass, and skipping JRG gives the opportunity for a qualifying wild card in Birmingham and/or some extra weeks prepping for grass. Its too soon for Mika to move fully to adults; despite her W35 title in Nottingham last year she has had very little other success in adults. She still needs to mix juniors and pros for a while yet until she establishes herself with a good mix of counters than relying on one or two tournaments with decent points in her WTA ranking.
The commentator in one of Hannah's matches mentioned that Mimi had 'graduated' and so didn't need to play nationals this year - 'graduated' was her word - I wonderd if there was a LTA rule that you 'graduated' after winning 18U nationals and that exempted you from playing them again
And, yes, I think Mika will stay play juniors - most definitely Wimbledon
Although Wimbledon is a bit of an exception - I mean, Mimi will likely play Wimbledon, IMO (but only Wimbledon) - it's normal to play your home event - even someone like Emerson Jones who has quit juniors may well still turn up for junior Wimbledon