USA Playoffs Lacoste: THE QUALIFIERS for Le Mondial Lacoste 2022

Les Petits As – USA Lacoste Playoffs 2022 ended this November 11th in Boca Raton, Florida at ONE Tennis Academy. At the end of an intense week marked by bad weather that prevented the finals from being held, the 8 best players of the competition qualified for the Lacoste World Championships.

In the girls’ category, Julieta Pareja has once again qualified for Tarbes without conceding a single set to her opponents. She will be the figurehead for the US selection and will be accompanied by the Penickova sisters (Kristina & Annika), two twin sisters who dominated their respective groups before qualifying easily in the knockout matches. Last qualifier for Les Petits As – Le Mondial Lacoste 2023: Zaire Clarke. Like Pareja, she played her second Playoffs during this edition and was a contender for the qualification. We will meet her in Tarbes in January!

On the boys’ side, 3 qualifiers were born in 2010 and will be able to compete in Les Petits As again in 2024: Michael Antonius, Izyan “Zizou” Ahmad, & Jordan Lee. The 4th qualifier, from Illinois, is Marcel Latak.

The girls’ reactions after their qualifications:

Kristina Penickova: “I’m super happy because last year I played the USA Series but didn’t make it. This year I made it and I’m very happy to be able to compete against the best players in Europe.”

Annika Penickova: “I’m very excited and excited to go to France because I’ve never had the opportunity to travel and go somewhere special. To qualify is amazing. I didn’t get to do it last year but this year I did. This is my year.”

Zaire Clarke: “I’m super excited to qualify for Little Aces. This will be my first time out of the US to travel. I’m very happy to be playing the tournament for the first time.”

Julieta Pareja: “I am very happy to be back. It’s an incredible tournament and very well organized. I’m really looking forward to going back.”

Boys:

Michael Antonius: “I’m looking forward to being in France. A few years ago, my brother went to France. At that time, I couldn’t go with him. I’m really looking forward to going there and playing against the best young players in Europe and the world.”

Izyan ‘Zizou’ Ahmad: “It’s a lot of emotions for me. I am very proud and happy because this was a main goal for me. To play the tournament at 12 years old is incredible. I wanted to emulate my idols Federer and Nadal. I am also very happy to represent the USA. I hope we will do great things.”

Marcel Latak: “I’m very proud of myself, of my performance and of qualifying for Tarbes. I think I played really well this week.”

Jordan Lee: “Super proud and excited to be in Tarbes and represent my country. I hope to have fun playing against the best U14 in the world and give my all to get a good result.”

Congratulations to all and see you in January!