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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Mexico win the North American IC Rod Laver Junior Challenge

It was close on the third day after both Mexico and The USA had wins over The Bahamas and Barbados on the first two days.   So it was all to play for on day three.  Mexico got a good start winning both boys singles but The USA levelled it at 2-2 by winning the two girls singles.  In the doubles the Mexican boys again came through meaning the girls doubles was now critical.   This time the Mexican girls were able to reverse their two losses in the singles to come through in the doubles giving Mexico a 4-2 victory and a place in The Worldwide Finals at La Jolla, California. This will be 8th - 14th November 2020 where we are hoping Rod Laver will be able to attend.   The USA who had fought a good match were disappointed but do have the consolation that as the hosts for The Worldwide Finals they will also have a place in that.  These two teams will be joined by the winners of the other regional events which are:  Japan, Italy, Argentina and South Africa.

In the match for 3rd and fourth place between Barbados and host Bahamas it was even closer than the match to win this regional event.  In Boys singles The Bahamas won both matches followed also by the doubles while in the girls matches Barbados came through in all three matches to level the tie at 3 matches each by winning both singles and doubles.  So it was a mixed tie break to decide the winner.  The Bahamas went in to a 3-0 lead but Barbados rallied to come back and win to get third place.

During the event an excellent clinic was held for 25 kids who lost their homes in Northern Bahama islands during Hurricane Dorian and are living in temporary accommodation in the main island in Nassau, New Providence.   All the juniors and their coaches joined in to help with this under the guidance of Perry Newton head of BLTA Junior Development .  The junior players were split in to four groups under the guidance of a main coach with a boy and girl junior from all the different nationality teams in each group. This helped them to  mix and get to know each other better too. The hurricane kids were rotated through each group with different drills ending up combining in to two groups for a “tennis contest” on a real court of volleying with soft balls.  All the kids were given a small something to take away plus a tennis ball to help continue their interest.

Overall the event went off well and the sportsmanship was good throughout helped by the coaches/captains setting a good example and talking to their teams about this.  The IC philosophy of “hands across the net, friendship across the ocean” was well evident and the juniors not only had a great tennis experience but made good friends as the event progressed.

Sportsmanship awards went to Chloe Weeks of Barbados and Denali Nottage of The Bahamas and there were many other deserving candidates.

The two teams of Barbados and Mexico who stayed overnight were taken on a sail boat trip up Nassau Harbour by one of our IC members  after matches on the third day. This was followed by “Chinese and Ice Cream cake” at another IC Members home overlooking the dock where the boat is moored.  All in good IC spirit of friendship.