site.btaSports Minister Awards Tennis Players Ivan Ivanov and Alexander Vasilev for International Achievements

Youth and Sports Minister Ivan Peshev presented awards to tennis players Ivan Ivanov and Alexander Vasilev for their outstanding achievements on the international junior circuit, the Ministry’s press office reported on Monday.

Ivanov became the second-ever representative of this country to win the Wimbledon Junior Championships. The 16-year-old delivered a flawless tournament without dropping a single set over six matches, as he lifted the trophy on July 13 after a 6-2 6-3 win over American Ronit Karki.

Vasilev also made it to the semifinals at Wimbledon and played in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros.

"We are proud of your accomplishments. You are living proof that Bulgarians can achieve great things. I am confident that in the near future you will be key players in the elite of men's world tennis, and the competition will have to take you seriously," Peshev said.

The Minister also expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Bulgarian Tennis Federation (BTF), the athletes’ coaches, and their parents for supporting the players in realizing their potential and achieving their goals. "You can rely on our continued support. Our aim is to ensure our tennis players are well-prepared and successful," Peshev added.

BTF President Stefan Tsvetkov noted that a very strong generation of Bulgarian tennis players is currently emerging and expressed optimism for further success in upcoming tournaments.

In recognition of his exceptional performance at Wimbledon, Ivan Ivanov and his coach, Kristin Grozdanov, will receive bonuses from the Ministry of Youth and Sports under Regulation No. 5.