The second edition of the ITF/Tennis Europe Educational Forum took place recently. Held for the first time at the Tennis Europe Junior Masters in Orbetello, Italy, the event was attended by many of the continent’s top Under 14 and Under 16 players.

The educational forums, of which around 10 are held every year all over the world, are a key part of the ITF’s Junior Tennis School initiative. The other part of the Junior Tennis School is the e-learning website www.itfjuniortennisschool.com.

The School was designed to help players to prepare for certain aspects of life as a tennis player, both as juniors and beyond. Through the website and the forums players learn about topics such as diet and nutrition; career management; injury prevention and media training. In the next few years the ITF intends to increase the number of forums held around the world to ensure that as many players as possible can benefit from them. Tennis Europe took the responsibility to organise this Forum in Europe on behalf of the ITF.

Players and coaches from 17 countries participated and saw presentations from the ITF and Tennis Europe, which were presented by Tennis Europe’s Manager of Junior Tennis, Stephanie Kamberi. They also heard a presentation on the role of the agent by Fabio Della Vida, and finally attended a session on media training and interview techniques, presented by Marco Massetani.

Tennis Europe’s Junior Committee Chairperson Ayda Uluç commented, “This has been a successful forum and very beneficial for the players, for many of whom this is an introduction to themes that will greatly impact their lives in the coming years."

Next year’s ITF/Tennis Europe Educational Forum will take place during the 14 & Under European Junior Championships in Pilzen, Czech Republic.