Australian Open Junior Champions: Where are they now?

The boys and girls singles tournaments at Grand Slams are among the most interesting events to follow for tennis fans. It is here that the stars of the future battle it out in what is their chance to make a name for themselves in the tennis world. Stars such as Stefan Edberg, Pat Cash and the great Roger Federer have worked their way up the ranks of junior tennis, before making it big on the ATP tour.

However, there is also a flipside. The gulf in class and level of play between junior tennis and the professional tour is huge, which is not often realised. There have been many players who have shone on the junior circuit, only to find the professional circuit too much to handle, and have had either very mediocre careers or given up the game at an early age.

The Australian Open, like the other slams, also has a boys and girls singles competition. With the 2014 edition starting next Monday, let’s have a look at the junior champions of the past ten years, and a look at where they are now.

2004:

Boys’ Singles Champion: Gael Monfils

Girls’ Singles Champion: Shahar Pe’er

Gael Monfils

The winners of the 2004 edition, Gael Monfils and Shahar Pe’er have gone on to have relatively successful careers, the former more than the latter. Monfils is without doubt one of the best athletes and most entertaining players on tour, but lacks the game to perhaps win a Slam. Still, he has had some stellar results till date and has won 4 singles titles, reaching a career high of No.7 in the world in 2011.

Pe’er on the other hand, has also done well for herself on the WTA tour, winning a total of 6 singles titles and 3 doubles titles, along with a runner-up finish in the 2008 Australian Open women’s doubles competition. Her highest ranking has been No.11, also achieved in 2011, and a career-high doubles ranking of No.14. Oh, and she also joined the Israeli military in 2006 as part of the mandatory military training in place in the country.