Bratislava / Athens – Slovak tennis player Lukas Lörinčík from TK Petržalka achieved a major international success by finishing in 2nd place in the U12 category at the prestigious IMG Future Stars 2026 tournament in Athens.
Bratislava / Athens – Slovak tennis player Lukas Lörinčík from TK Petržalka achieved a major international success by finishing in 2nd place in the U12 category at the prestigious IMG Future Stars 2026 tournament in Athens.
The tournament took place from 19–25 April 2026 at the TATOÏ Club in Greece and is considered one of the most prestigious events in the world for this age category. A total of 48 elite players from 25 countries participated by invitation only (24 boys and 24 girls), including the top 24 boys in the world. For this reason, the tournament is often regarded as the unofficial world championship for junior singles players.
During the tournament, Lukas Lörinčík delivered an impressive performance and defeated players from Colombia, Greece, Canada and Japan on his way to the final. In the final match, he faced an American player and lost after a close three-set battle 0/6 6/2 6/7 (7/9).
The event also featured the exhibition format One Point Slam, where each match is decided by a single point. Lukas won this dynamic competition and confirmed his ability to handle key moments under pressure. His victory in this discipline highlighted his overall performance at the tournament.
The prestige of the tournament was also confirmed by the presence of major names from world tennis. Current top player Amanda Anisimova attended the event in person. The tournament director is former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis, who has long emphasized the importance of supporting the younger generation and helping players transition to the professional level.
"We are very happy and grateful for this result. It is a reward for long-term work and also motivation to continue. Special thanks belong to the club for its long-term support and for creating the conditions that helped Lukas grow," said player's coach and father Ján Lörinčík.
TKP chairman Filip Kratochvíla added: "We are proud of Lukas. His result is proof of systematic and long-term work with children and young players. At TKP, we try to approach every player equally, with emphasis on development, patience and a positive relationship with sport. Thanks also belong to the parents who support their children every day, the fans who help create the atmosphere, and the local council representatives for their support. Every one of them plays a part in allowing us to continue this work honestly and long-term."
The IMG Future Stars tournament is also known for awarding its winners a wildcard for the prestigious Eddie Herr International Junior Championship at IMG Academy in Florida. The event also includes professional workshops for coaches and parents led by experts from IMG Academy and representatives of the ATP and WTA.
In 2026, TKP celebrates 25 years since its foundation. The club believes that, thanks to the support of the community, it will continue its systematic work with children and the development of young talents in the years ahead.
TKP – MY TENNIS FAMILY