14-year-old Hannah Klugman from Britain secured the prestigious Orange Bowl junior championship with a convincing 6-3, 6-3 triumph over Tyra Caterina Grant in the final. Making history, Klugman became the first British player to claim the main girls’ title, a notable achievement that aligns her with renowned past champions like Caroline Wozniacki, Chris Evert, Bianca Andreescu, and the current US Open champion, Coco Gauff.
In a flawless display of skill, Klugman added her name to the esteemed list of Orange Bowl champions with a clinical straight-sets victory over Grant in Florida. This victory solidifies her position as one of the sport’s most promising talents, following her previous stint as a finalist in the under-14s tournament last year.
Reflecting on her triumph, Klugman expressed her elation, stating, “It’s an amazing feeling. I played 14s last year and made the final. I was really gutted I didn’t get the win, and obviously, to get the win at under-18s, it’s incredible. This is still just part of the journey – a little step – but it’s nice.”
While acknowledging the significance of her win, Klugman remains focused on the broader perspective of her tennis journey. She remarked, “I was walking past the poster with all the great players [who have won]. I saw Coco Gauff. It’s good that I can be on that board. It doesn’t mean anything in the big picture, but hopefully I can make it.”
This victory marks the culmination of a landmark year for Klugman. She reached the quarter-finals of a junior Grand Slam for the first time at the US Open, finished as a runner-up in the girls’ doubles at Wimbledon alongside Isabelle Lacy, and achieved the distinction of being the youngest player to qualify for a W100 ITF event in October. In Florida, Klugman showcased her prowess by defeating top-seeded Laura Samsonova and Iva Jovic before sealing her victory in the final with a comfortable 6-3, 6-3 scoreline against Grant.
