site.btaWimbledon Junior Champion Ivan Ivanov Returns to Varna as World No. 1

Wimbledon Junior Champion Ivan Ivanov Returns to Varna as World No. 1
Wimbledon Junior Champion Ivan Ivanov Returns to Varna as World No. 1
Wimbledon junior champion Ivan Ivanov returns to Varna, welcomed by children from his tennis club, as well as friends and family, July 15, 2025 (BTA Photo/Krasimir Krastev)

Wimbledon junior champion Ivan Ivanov returned to Varna and was welcomed by children from his tennis club, as well as friends and family, on Tuesday evening. The young Bulgarian athlete had just arrived from the United Kingdom after becoming world number one in the junior rankings, a result he described as unexpected and a source of great happiness.

“Yes, I was told over the phone to expect this welcome, but even so, the atmosphere is something unique for me,” Ivanov said. “After such a success at Wimbledon, it’s a privilege to be here.” He added that his trophy was packed in one of his bags and promised to display it at a press conference on Thursday.

Ivanov is now preparing for the US Open, he said, and has included three Challenger tournaments in Sofia in August as part of his upcoming schedule.

Asked whether he believed he could win when he set off for Wimbledon, Ivanov said that while winning is always the goal at any tournament, this particular title felt unforgettable and unique — “the kind of thing you’d wish for in your most cherished dreams,” he noted.

He expressed gratitude to the academy that helped him reach this level, and to all the Bulgarian coaches who had supported him throughout his development.

Asked about his favourite playing surface, Ivanov said he might be rethinking his earlier preference for clay. “Maybe from now on I’ll say it’s grass,” he said.

“Yes, I didn’t lose a set — I didn’t even realise it until after the final, when they told me I’d won the tournament without dropping one,” Ivanov said. He added that it made the victory even more special, especially considering the number of set points he had to save en route to winning in straight sets.

Ivanov revealed that Rafael Nadal, whose academy he trains at, congratulated him on the win via video call.

Asked whether he regretted that the final wasn’t an all-Bulgarian one, Ivanov said he certainly would have liked that outcome. “Both of us — Alexander Vasilev and I — are very good players, and we both deserved it. But the final was against the American,” he said.

“I want to improve my game on hard courts, because one of my dreams is to play well at both the US Open and the Australian Open,” Ivanov added.

As for whether he feels ready to compete with the professionals, Ivanov said that men’s and juniors’ tournaments are two very different levels. “At the men’s level you need to be much more disciplined, much more focused — and that’s exactly what I’m now learning to do in the junior game,” he concluded.

/KK/

news.modal.header

news.modal.text

By 22:02 on 16.07.2025 Today`s news

This website uses cookies. By accepting cookies you can enjoy a better experience while browsing pages.

Accept More information