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THE EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR TOURNAMENT
The Prestigious Eddie Herr International Junior Tournament has served as a
springboard to the professional tennis tour for such names as Roger Federer,
Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, David Nalbandian, Anna Kournikova, Mardy
Fish, Xavier Malisse, Marcelo Rios, Jelena Jankovic, and Ana Ivanovic -- to
name just a few.
Founded in 1987 by Eddie's grandson (Glenn
Feldman) to honor his grandfather
for his life's passion and success of bringing the world's best junior
tennis players together to compete, the tournament now attracts the top
junior players from many nations around the world! From a humble beginning
of 100 participants, over 1800 players representing 92 nations applied for
the tournament in 2008, which is currently being held at the IMG/Bollettieri
Academies in Bradenton, Florida. Players from over 136 nations have
competed in the "Eddie Herr" over the past 20 years, a testament to Eddie's
passion and Vision to bring together the youth of the world!
"This tournament just gets bigger and bigger every year," Eddie Herr proudly
declared shortly before his death in 2000. "The best juniors come from all
over the world to play, and the successful ones go on to become a force in
pro tennis." Eddie is widely considered the "Father" of international
junior tennis competition in the United States. The Eddie Herr International
is widely recognized as the largest international junior tennis tournament
in the world with competitions in 18 & Under, 16 & Under, 14 & Under, and 12
& Under divisions, all competing at the same time and same venue! It is
truly unique experience.
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Eddie Herr, Anna Kournikova, Karen Feldman, and Rick Workman. Anna
was 1994 Champion at age 13.
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Eddie Herr, Anna Kournikova, Karen Feldman, and
Rick Workman. Anna
was 1994 Champion at age 13.
An indomitable force with a love of the game, Herr nurtured and promoted
junior tennis for more than fifty years. Prior to the Eddie Herr
International Junior Tournament, he created the Orange Bowl Junior
Championships in 1947, the Sunshine Cup in 1958, and the Continental Cup in
1976. His namesake event is the first stop of the Florida Winter
International Junior Circuit, which is comprised mainly of tournaments he
created.
Herr was a recipient of the USTA-Florida Lifetime Achievement Award, and was
named to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, and the Florida Tennis Hall of
Fame. |
