Queensland’s Connor McEvoy received the 14-and-under boys’ singles and doubles titles on the 2023 December Showdown.
Melbourne, Australia, 8 December 2023 | Leigh Rogers
Connor McEvoy is the 14-and-under Australian Junior Tour Masters boys’ singles champion for 2023.
It’s the 14-year-old Queenslander’s first nationwide title.
“It feels superb,” McEvoy mentioned after recording a 7-6(8) 6-1 victory towards Victorian Lachlan King at Melbourne Park at this time.
“I’ve labored actually onerous for this, so it’s nice to have lastly accomplished it.”
McEvoy broke twice in an absorbing opening set, however was unable to consolidate both time. This included within the twelfth recreation, when he served for the set.
“It was a extremely tight first set. I knew I needed to work by it to beat him,” McEvoy acknowledged.
The Sunshine Coast expertise then constructed a 6-4 benefit within the first-set tiebreak, just for King to battle again to degree.
King earned two set factors of his personal, earlier than McEvoy wrapped up the entertaining opening set in 62 minutes.
“I had set factors which didn’t go my manner and he had set factors which didn’t go his manner. I lastly obtained him ultimately, so was very relieved to get that first set,” McEvoy mentioned.
It supplied a significant momentum change as McEvoy raced by a 30-minute second set.
“Within the second set I simply stored the strain on and obtained increasingly more assured because the match went on,” McEvoy mentioned.
“I used to be simply telling myself to go for it as a result of I had nothing to lose.”
It caps an ideal week for McEvoy. Competing at Melbourne Park for the primary time, the fourth seed didn’t concede a set throughout his six singles matches.
He defeated 4 seeded opponents, together with the event’s prime two seeds within the closing two rounds.
“I feel that I’m fairly robust on the courtroom, I simply don’t cease competing,” McEvoy mentioned of the largest lesson gained from this week’s December Showdown.
“I discovered one other degree of tennis in me.”
McEvoy likens his recreation model to Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur.
“I transfer like him and I’ve obtained the same recreation to him,” he defined. “I like taking it early and working across the courtroom quite a bit. He’s my greatest Australian inspiration.”
McEvoy now joins De Minaur on the 14/u Australian Junior Tour Masters’ illustrious honour roll.
Different previous champions embrace Todd Woodbridge, John Millman, Jason Kubler, Chris O’Connell and Max Purcell.
“I do know lots of the Australian execs have received this, so it’s nice to have my title up there,” a proud McEvoy mentioned.
McEvoy then teamed with Western Australia’s George Diable to assert the 14/u boys’ doubles title, defeating King and his fellow Victorian Nikolas Baker 6-7(6) 6-4 [10-5] within the closing.
Connor McEvoy and George Diable in motion within the 14/u boys’ doubles closing. Image: Tennis Australia
“It’s simply crammed me with pleasure,” Diable mentioned after securing the nationwide title in a fiercely contested one-hour and 48-minute battle.
“It was good to get it accomplished with a superb mate in Connor too.
“I’m simply pleased I might play at this excellent venue. It makes me really feel like a bit of a professional taking part in on these courts. It was a superb week.”
14/U AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR TOUR MASTERS
TODAY’S RESULTS
Boys’ singles, closing
[4] Connor McEvoy (Qld) d [2] Lachlan King (Vic) 7-6(8) 6-1
Boys’ doubles, closing
[2] George Diable (WA)/Connor McEvoy (Qld) d [1] Nikolas Baker (Vic)/Lachlan King (Vic) 6-7(6) 6-4 [10-5]
> VIEW: 14/u Australian Junior Tour Masters attracts
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