Story

45 years of tournament history and 42 tournaments

 

Tradition and fascination of the tennis youth cup

 

For more than 45 years now, the Tennis Youngsters Cup has been the stage for the best young players from all over the world. 

At the Tennis Youngsters Cup you will find the roots of many former and current world-class players who first attracted attention here at a young age. 

Whether Steffi Graf, Boris Becker, Monika Seles, Goran Ivanisevic, Maria Sharapova, Guillermo Coria or David Nalbandian - all of them were able to put their names on the list of winners at the Tennis Youngest Cup. That is what makes our tournament so fascinating – you meet the stars of tomorrow right here!

 

THIS IS HOW IT ALL BEGAN

 

1977 On the occasion of the Bambini tournament in Kufstein, Herbert Baier and Heinz Busch came up with the idea. Björn Kröner and Hans Vosen agree to take part. The tournament is presented to the THC Brühl and the city of Brühl with the following special features that we are proud of: - a gap in the children's tennis calendar will be closed - everyone can participate if they register in good time - double KO system, especially for the tournament develops - extensive leisure program - family and yet international atmosphere - a large crowd of volunteers. Neighboring clubs, clubs and the city of Brühl are enthusiastic about the idea and pledge their active support. Thus the “European Junior Tennis Tournament” was born.

 

In 1978 the tournament takes place for the first time. 236 children from 10 nations take part. The success and the registrations for the next year are so great that there is no question that the second tournament will take place in 1979. With 280 participants, the target is more than fulfilled. This year, Steffi Graf, who came third in age group IV (U 12) at the age of 10, and Boris Becker, fifth in age group IV, attracted attention for the first time. 

 

1980 Legal uncertainties due to the dimensions achieved prompt the tournament organizers and the chairman of the board of the THC Brühl, Mr. Wolfgang Schönberg, to create a support association to be founded specifically for the organization of the tournament. Herbert Baier, Heinz Busch, Björn Kröner and Marlies Flügel are elected to the board of the "Förderverein des Europäisches Jüngsten-Tennis-Tournament Brühl eV". Among the 320 participants is an Israeli team with supervisors for the first time. 1st place for Steffi Count and 1st place for Boris Becker

 

1981 On the occasion of the fourth tournament, a team competition called “Lacoste Nations Cup” is held for the first time. The team from Baden is the outstanding winner. No wonder, since she has the winners of the individual competition in her ranks with Boris Becker and Steffi Graf. Five years later, at the age of 17, Becker became the youngest player to win Wimbledon for the first time. Six years later, Graf won her first Grand Slam tournament in Paris.

 

1982 Due to the provision that only members of the German Tennis Federation can be tournament organizers, the constellation is changed again - organizer: Tennisverband Mittelrhein eV - organizer: Förderverein des Europäisches Jüngsten-Tennis-Tournament Brühl eV - host tennis club: THC Brühl eV. 5th place: Goran Ivanisevic from Yugoslavia

 

1983 The complete Yugoslav team wins the Lacoste Nations Cup. Goran Ivanisevic, who takes first place in the singles, and Monika Seles, who unfortunately cannot compete in the final, play in their ranks.

 

1984 For the first time a team from the USSR takes part in the tournament and wins the team ranking. The individual winner Andrey Rserkasov also comes from her team. Monika Seles won the girls age group IV (U 12). Soviets, Yugoslavs, Bulgarians and Israelis live under one roof in Brühl.

 

1985 On the occasion of the 700th anniversary of the town charter, the town of Brühl gave a particularly nice reception. Boris Becker writes a greeting card from Wimbledon to those responsible for the youngest tournament and a few days later becomes the youngest Wimbledon winner of all time. In Brühl, the following girls draw attention to themselves: 1st place for Monika Seles in age group IV (U 12) and 3rd place for Natalia Swereva in age group III (U 14)

 

1986 Due to the decision of the European Tennis Federation (Tennis Europe) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF), young people under the age of 12 are no longer allowed to play in international tournaments. It is therefore played in age group III (U14) internationally for the "Nations Cup" and in age group IV (U 12) nationally for the newly established "LAMBDA Germany Cup". The first winner in the "LAMBDA Germany Cup" is Dirk Dier from Saarland, who is the individual winner in age group IV. The team from Austria, including Reinhard Wawra, won the “Lacoste Nations Cup” in a superior manner. The team from Japan brings Far Eastern flavor to the tournament. 

 

This fact makes it easier for us

 

1987 to end the long-standing differences of opinion between Tennis Europe and our association regarding the word "European". The renaming to “Friends of the Youngest Tennis Tournament Brühl eV” is notarized. This board includes: Herbert Baier, Heinz Busch, Björn Kröner, Wolfgang Schwaldt.

 

1988 "It should be fun" - this is and remains the top priority of the tournament and so a doubles competition is played out on popular demand from coaches and participants. A new German name appears on the tennis horizon: Anke Huber wins the singles and doubles competition.

 

1989 From now on, the Brühl tournament, along with five other tournaments in Europe, is one of the top six tournaments in the first category. Tommy Haas' first victory in age group IV underlines the value of the tournament.

 

1991 Enthusiasm for tennis in Germany is at its peak. 8,000 spectators and seven different TV stations ensure a Grand Slam atmosphere on the THC Brühl facility during the week.

 

1992 Mariano Puerta, a boy from Argentina who will be in the final of the French Open in 2005, wins.

 

1994 A year full of records - 44 nations take part and a heat wave results in record water consumption.

 

1996 Argentinian Guillermo Coria enters the tournament's list of winners. With his tournament victory at the Hamburg Masters tournament and his semi-finals at the French Open in 2003, the Argentine made a name for himself on the ATP tour.

 

1997 The 20th anniversary is also a well-attended festival.

 

2000 For the last time, the young players in Brühl inspire their audience. Maria Sharapova comes second and wins in Wimbledon in 2004.

 

2001 After the change of location from Brühl to Cologne, the RheinEnergie Tennis Youngsters Cup takes place for the first time on the grounds of the KTHC Stadion RW Köln.

 

2002 The anniversary tournament delighted players, coaches and around 9,000 visitors during the week for the 25th time. Belarus provided the winners for boys and girls with Dimitry Novikov and Volha Havartsova! Sabine Lisicki is in the final and caused a sensation at Wimbledon in 2009 and 2011. Anke Huber spent three days on the magnificent facility and fondly remembered her successful participation. Many thanks, dear Anke.

 

2003 With Dominice Ripoll, another German joins the well-known list of winners of the Tennis Youngsters Cup and thus follows in the footsteps of Steffi Graf. With great weather and a fantastic atmosphere, the numerous spectators experience tennis at a high level from the first round.

 

2004 9,200 visitors experience the dominance of young talents from the East. With David Thurner there is finally a German in the final again.

 

2006 International understanding at the KTHC Rot-Weiss facility: More than 200 participants from 50 nations create a unique atmosphere at the 29th RheinEnergie Tennis Cup.

 

2007 The Tennis Youngsters Cup celebrates a big anniversary: 30 years of volunteer work - 30 years of stage for the best young players from all over the world - 30 years of international understanding and meeting of later world class players. For the 30th time, young tennis talents from all over the world are fighting for victory in one of the best junior tournaments in Europe. More than 9000 spectators attend the tournament throughout the week. Whether young or old, active tennis player or preferred spectator, everyone agreed: "It's incredible what these young players at the age of 13-14 can do on the red ash!"

 

2008 The possibility of a new Boris Becker being born on the final day of the 31st RheinEnergie Tennis Youngsters Cup results in a true record attendance. Around 1600 spectators follow an exciting final game of the German opponents. Jannis Kahlke from TV Marburg defeated the reigning German champion Kevin Kaczynski with a score of 5:7/6:4/6:3.

 

2009 The winner of the girls competition, Barbara Haas, causes great enthusiasm. The Austrian prevailed in the final against the German Lisa-Marie Mätschke. Jorge Panta from Peru wins in the boys' category.

 

2010 The young German hopeful Johannes Härteis loses the high-class final against the Chilean Bastian Malla. In doubles, Härteis and his partner Viktor Kostin leave the field as winners. Viktoriya Lushkova from Ukraine wins the girls' category.

 

2013 The 36th edition is held for the first time in the district of Düren. The International German Tennis Championships U14 in the district of Düren will be held on the facilities of three clubs: TG Rot-Weiss eV, Dürener Turnverein 1847 eV and Post-Ford-Sportverein e. V. held.

 

Over the years tournament history has continued to be written. Each tournament year was special in itself and brings back wonderful memories. Without the founding fathers Herbert Baier and Heinz Busch, we would not be standing here today and welcoming young talents from all over the world for the 40th time. Because of his tireless commitment to the tournament, Herbert Baier was appointed honorary chairman in 1992 – the 15th year of the tournament. To this day, he is at the tournament's side with advice and action. Heinz Busch was appointed honorary chairman at the end of 2011. As first chairman, he has never left any stone unturned over the years to ensure the continuation of this unique tournament. His dedication and passion are a role model for all of us. As his successor, Martina Klein was elected 1st Chairwoman. Heinz Busch, as honorary chairman, continues to be a very important part of the association. We are proud of our 36 years of honorary posts - 36 years of stage for the best young players from all over the world - 36 years of international understanding and meeting future world-class players.

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2016 In its third year in Düren, the tournament found more than just a new home. With great enthusiasm and knowledge of tennis, the Düren audience and the host clubs provide the young people and supervisors from all over the world with a platform that is unparalleled in Europe.

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2017 40 years of the youngest tennis tournament - we are proud of 40 years of volunteer work - 40 years of stage for the best young players from all over the world - 40 years of international understanding and promoting future world-class players.

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2018 ...​

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2019 ...​

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2020 Due to the global Covid pandemic, the tournament unfortunately had to be cancelled.

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2021 Due to the ongoing Covid pandemic, the tournament had to be paused for another year.