Niall is the 2023 U14 British Champion, winning it despite being one of the youngest players (born September 2010, so was only age 12 when he won it)
The year before he won the U12 British Championships
He's Welsh but has an interesting heritage. In his words:
"My dad is from India and my mum is from Germany. But I was born in Cardiff in Wales, so I am Welshand ultimately British."
And he's doing very well so far this year:
"The first player from Wales to top the Race to Monte-Carlo rankings, Niall Pickerd-Barua is in a good place right now. A 15-match win streak at the end of 2023 saw him rack up three consecutive singles titles (plus two doubles) and establish a lead at the top of the Race to Monte-Carlo rankings that he still holds.
With the Junior Masters firmly in his sights, hes made a strong start to 2024, with two Category 1 semi-finals already under his belt."
He's a very promising 2010-born player, left-handed, relaxed in his game, gets good placement and acceleration.
Wales deserves to have him as their young male flag-carrier, with a thread of his own
This is Tennis Europe's interview with him a few weeks back:
Thanks for starting this thread and giving the background, CD. One to follow. Let's hope he can turn the early success into a long-term successful career!
(Also, would love to know, if you know the answer, whether there's something about the grassroots or coaching setups in Wales that so many promising Welsh juniors are coming through.)
Seems like he trains or has been on a training block at the Mouratoglouacademy too:
!Having played tennis since age three, Niall has become one of Wales most promising young players. From attending local training at Cardiff Castle Lawn Tennis club and Cardiff Met University to training at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in France, his recent achievements have put him on the map for the sport in Wales and beyond.!
I don't know anything about the Welsh set-up, to be honest (and it might just be fluke, and family, that have given rise to a couple of top hopefuls)
But this was the coaching info in the LTA's two press relsease thingies:
2022: Niall Pickerd-Barua (coached by Kevin Boumlil)
2023: 14U Boys' singles winner Niall PICKERD-BARUA coach: Phil Thomas trains at: Cardiff Met University
Niall trained at Bath RPDC at a young age and was really highly thought of even back then. His older sister was also there too. He then moved back to training in Wales after Covid
I don't know anything about the Welsh set-up, to be honest (and it might just be fluke, and family, that have given rise to a couple of top hopefuls)
But this was the coaching info in the LTA's two press relsease thingies:
2022: Niall Pickerd-Barua (coached by Kevin Boumlil)
2023: 14U Boys' singles winner Niall PICKERD-BARUA coach: Phil Thomas trains at: Cardiff Met University
Niall trained at Bath RPDC at a young age and was really highly thought of even back then. His older sister was also there too. He then moved back to training in Wales after Covid
There are a few up and coming Welsh stars apart from Niall now. Think it is more than a coincidence, given the population of Wales is 3.1million and England 55million plus. So dont think you can explain it away, needs a closer look. They do have a good set up.
Niall trained at Bath RPDC at a young age and was really highly thought of even back then. His older sister was also there too. He then moved back to training in Wales after Covid
Thanks for the extra info, Rose. (And not just here but in general in the juniors threads. It's much appreciated.)