Andrew Dunn became the first British-based junior to win a title on the FIP Promises padel tour after victory in the U14 category in Belgium on Sunday.
Andrew and playing partner Lenni Ströhl of Germany won all their matches in the FIP Promises Koksijde round-robin format, holding their nerve in a de facto title decider against the top seeds, Jules Verraghen and Ernest Verhoestraete.
That 6-4 6-4 victory was another milestone for 14-year-old Andrew in what is shaping up to be a highly promising padel career. Just a few weeks ago the Bicester-based youngster became the first British junior to enter the top 50 in the FIP junior world rankings.
“The level was just insane,” Andrew told The Padel Paper after their victory. “I can’t even put it into words. Just before the trophy presentation I was buzzing, like physically vibrating. It was just pure joy and elation.
“My dad always says that we don’t need to study rankings as the process is more important, but this win should boost me up a fair bit!”
Andrew trains at SmashPadel Bicester under the guidance of the club’s incredible junior coaching team, which includes Miguel Caramalho and Andrew’s father Gordon (pictured below right).
The five-court club in Oxfordshire is a hotbed for junior development and Andrew is just one of the young players reaping the benefits of the Smash team’s dedication and attention to detail.
Andrew said: “The work I’m doing behind the scenes at SmashPadel with Miguel, the other players and all the coaching team is amazing.
“Lenni and I know there’s still a lot of work to do and things we can work on, but we’re definitely playing the best padel of our lives.”
During the tournament, the boys got the opportunity to play on the Koksijde centre court, which has capacity of 3,500, before wet and windy conditions forced play to be moved to the indoor Middelkerke venue.
The boys were supported by Andrew’s dad Gordon. Lenni said: “He is a very good coach and gives good advice!”
- Thanks to those who have pointed out that Jules Bakunowicz, who is based in Lanzarote but competes under the British flag, won the U14 title at the FIP Promises in Bristol in April and indeed won a further FIP Promises title last weekend in Valladolid. We are happy to clarify that Jules was the first British winner of a FIP junior title (and we’ll follow his progress keenly!). Andrew remains the first British-based player to do so.
A great achievement, but surely not the first British player to win a title in the FIP Promises tour. That accomplishment went to Jules Bakunowicz at the FIP Promises Bristol tournament earlier this year, where he won the 14U event.
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