Tennis player Álvarez rises to 45th in World Junior Rankings

Puerto Rican Yannik Álvarez, 17, is now ranked among the top 45 junior tennis players in the world.

By THE STAR STAFF

Puerto Rican tennis player Yannik Álvarez rose to 45th place in the World Junior Rankings after his performance in the ITF Orange Bowl J500 tournament held last week in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The result places Álvarez, 17, among the best junior players in the world in a ranking that includes more than 4,520 tennis players globally.

In the boys’ doubles category, the young athlete was crowned champion of the 18 & Under division at the tournament, adding a new achievement to his international career. Álvarez and his partner Ziga Sesko of Slovenia defeated Tanishk Konduri and Marcel Latak of the United States 6-3, 6-3 in the finals.

In boys’ singles, Álvarez reached the third round, where he was defeated by eventual semifinalist Yannick Theodor Alexandrescou of France, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. In the second round, Álvarez defeated Sesko, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, after prevailing over Ryan Cozad of the U.S. 6-4, 6-2 in the first round.

“Yannik’s performance in this tournament reflects sustained and exemplary progress,” said Rosa Martínez, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tennis Association (PRTA), in a written statement. “Winning the doubles championship in the 16 & Under category in 2023 and repeating the title in 2025 in the 18 & Under category demonstrates his athletic maturity, discipline, and commitment to excellence.”

Martínez emphasized that Álvarez’s performance reaffirms Puerto Rico’s presence in international junior tennis and the athlete’s competitive progress in older age categories.

The PRTA indicated that it will continue to support the competitive development and international exposure of junior athletes representing the island.