The IC of Argentina qualify for the IC Rod Laver Junior Challenge World Finals 2027

The South American qualifying event for the 2026 IC Rod Laver Junior Challenge took place on 13-16 July 2026 and brought together teams from the ICs of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay at the Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club in Montevideo. Hosted by the IC of Uruguay, the event combined high-quality junior tennis with the International Clubs' enduring values of friendship, sportsmanship and international fellowship.

Despite weather forcing a revised schedule, the competition was completed successfully over three days. The IC of Argentina produced consistently outstanding tennis throughout the tournament, defeating the IC of Uruguay (1) by 5–1 in a closely contested final to secure qualification for the IC Rod Laver Junior Challenge World Finals. The IC of Bolivia in particular made an impressive debut in the competition after the creation of the IC in 2025, finishing in third place ahead of the ICs of Chile, Brazil and Uruguay (2).

Off the court, the event reflected the IC spirit through a welcome reception, social activities and a community tennis clinic with children from the IC of Uruguay's "Growing up with Tennis" programme, where players shared their skills and experiences with young participants.

The Sportsmanship Awards, voted for by the team captains, recognised Maria E. Moretti (Brazil) and Andree Montellano (Bolivia) for their exemplary sportsmanship. The tournament concluded with a light-hearted captains' doubles match, providing a fitting celebration of the friendships forged throughout the week.

You can view the full tournament report, photos and video below.

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IC SA AND ETHIOPIA SET FOR FINAL DAY SHOW DOWN.

After both IC SA and Ethiopia comfortably won their second day matches, they will meet in tomorrows final with both teams unbeaten after two matches. 

IC SA proved far too strong for the TSA Development team where only one match showed any real resistance from the Development team. In the battle between the two top girls IC SA’s Christine Kruger suffered a loss of confidence in the second set but with the pro set tie break left to decide the winner, Christine regained her composure and found her range to drop just a single point in the tie break to run out a 62 36 10 1 winner. 

In the other matches the Development team was never really in contention with the hosts conceding just six games over the five matches. It has been a steep learning curve for the Development players but the more they are exposed to this level of tennis, the quicker they will learn to adapt to more competitive tournament play.

It was a similar situation when Ethiopia came up against Botswana with just one match providing some excitement and a closely fought encounter. Their second boy Yosph Gezhafe showed tremendous fighting qualities to recover from the loss of the first set 16 to come out on top in a closely fought second set which was only secured 74 in the resultant tie break, and then held his nerve to take the deciding tie break 10 7. In the other five matches, Ethiopia dropped just nine games.

So a fitting end to the event with the two strongest teams going toe to toe to decide the winner. Ethiopia will be hoping to burst the IC SA teams bubble which has proved too solid in all previous qualifying events for the right to represent the continent at the world wide finals.

A Development clinic was held during the day with children from the four local Townships taking part in both the red ball training and full court training. Ages ranged from 7 to 13 and the coaching was enhanced with the participation of the coaches of both the IC SA and TSA Development team taking a part as well some of the players,

Full results of the days play are;

Ethiopia beat Botswana by 6 matches to nil.

BOYS SINGLES

O. Gemeda beat Seabo Shakshando 64 61 

Y Gezhafe beat A Bleskirk 16 76 (4) 10 7.

GIRLS SINGLES

M Adone beat L Poely 62 61

S Kasaune beat A Chongwe 60 60

BOYS DOUBLES

Ethiopia beat Botswana 60 61

GIRLS SINGLES 

Ethiopia beat Botswana 60 60.

IC SA beat TSA Development by 6 matches to nil

BOYS SINGLES

C Roothman beat T Chiloane 62 61

M Woodman beat M Masombuka 60 61

GIRS SINGLES

C Kruger beat A Makoala 62 36 10 1

N Manybi beat C Mogale 60 60

BOYS DOUBLES

IC SA beat TSA Development 60 61

GIRLS DOUBLES

IC SA beat TSA Development 60 61.