Megan Knight & Aran Selvaraasan lift titles at 2025 16U Lexus Junior National Championships
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Suffolk's Megan Knight and Cheshire's Aran Selvaraasan have been crowned as singles champions in the 2025 16U Lexus Junior National Championships tournament after a day of thrilling action at the LTA's National Tennis Centre.
This event is a highlight of the junior tennis calendar in Britain and there are more than just the trophies up for grabs for the finalists
Both Knight and Selvaraasan will now receive wild cards into the main draw at The Junior Championships, Wimbledon, while finalists Daniella Britton and Vincent Fletcher will gain entry into qualifying for the prestigious tournament this summer.
Previous winners of the LTA Junior Nationals 16U event include Jack Draper, Dan Evans, Heather Watson, Harriet Dart, Paul Jubb and 2023 Junior Wimbledon champion Henry Searle, with Knight and Selvaraasan the new names will be added to the tournament's Roll of Honour.
Knight adds to National Championship titles
Knight, who has previously won the 12U and 14U National Championships, has now added the prestigious 16U title to her collection after she battled back from the loss of the first set to beat Dorset's Britton 2-6, 6-3, 6-0.
Knight gave her verdict on the victory as she said: "She played really well in the first set and I was just outplayed. In the second set I just tried to change a few things up and I managed to do that. Playing at Junior Wimbledon is incredible. To be playing at home, on grass, it will be an incredible experience."
Knight also won the doubles event with partner Hollie Smart from Middlesex, as they beat Britton and Essex's Edie Griffiths in the final.
These two have played many times before and will hopefully continue to push each other in the future, while remaining as good friends.
Katie O'Brien, LTA Women's National Coach, said: "It was a high-quality final between two 14-year-olds playing beyond their years. These two have played many times before and will hopefully continue to push each other in the future, while remaining as good friends.
"We were blessed with the weather this week which hopefully contributed to a positive experience for all those involved on and off the court. The players can learn so much competing at Nationals, especially with managing emotions. I'm sure many will use this event as a springboard for their development in the months to come."
Qualifier Selvaraasan takes home singles trophy
In the Boys' tournament, Selvaraasan became the first qualifier since Hugo Coquelin in 2021 to win the title as he beat Cambridgeshire's No.8 seed Fletcher 7-6(2), 2-6, 6-2 in a high-quality contest.
Selvaraasan won seven matches to take the title, including four wins over seeded players, as the 14-year-old lifted the biggest title of his career so far.
"I owe it to my mindset pushing through and showing resilience and determination," said Selvaraasan. "I was a bit gutted losing the second set and felt a bit tight in the second set. Then I refocused and then played relaxed and freely.
"I wasn't expecting much this week, so it's great to get the win here, I'm really pleased with myself."
In the Boys' Doubles event, top seeds Rhys Lawlor (Hertfordshire) and Eric Lorimer (Devon) won the title, beating Murray Watters (Scotland East) and Leo Wright (Middlesex).
Both Aran, coming through qualifying, and Vincent had some really good wins to reach the final. It's really exciting to see a 14-year-old winning the 16U Nationals, that's the kind of thing we like to see.
Martin Weston, LTA Men's National Coach, said: "Pretty much every match in the tournament has been competitive. Both Aran, coming through qualifying, and Vincent had some really good wins to reach the final. It's really exciting to see a 14-year-old winning the 16U Nationals, that's the kind of thing we like to see. Mark Ceban also did that last year.
"I couldn't be more delighted for Aran's coach Richard Crabtree, who does a really, really good job. It has been a good week and now we are looking forward to the 18 & Under Championships next week."
Qualifying matches for the 2025 Lexus Junior National Championships 18U tournament get underway at the National Tennis Centre on Saturday, with the finals set to be played next Friday.
