Last update: May 6, 2026
Les Petits As, held annually in Tarbes, France, is widely regarded as the most prestigious Under-14 tennis tournament in the world and is often described as the unofficial U14 world championship. Since its creation in 1982, the tournament has brought together the very best young players from across the globe, offering a unique early benchmark for elite junior tennis performance.
Quick Navigation
A Global Reference in Junior Tennis
What makes Les Petits As truly unique is its international depth, competitive intensity, and predictive value. Year after year, the tournament gathers top U14 players representing dozens of countries, creating a level of competition rarely matched at this age. Success at Tarbes is widely recognized by federations, coaches, and academies as a strong indicator of future high-performance potential.
Tournament Category and Structure
Les Petits As is recognized as an elite U14 flagship event within the global junior tennis ecosystem.
Key Numbers – Les Petits As
- Founded: 1982
- Location: Tarbes, France
- Age Category: Under 14 (U14)
- Status: Elite international junior tournament
- Typical Dates: Late January – Early February
- Total Participants: Approximately 300–400 players per edition
- Countries Represented: Around 40–50 nations worldwide
- Surface: Indoor hard court
- Competition Format: Singles & Doubles
- Reputation: Widely regarded as the unofficial U14 world championship
- Official website: lespetitsas.com
The tournament includes qualification phases followed by a highly competitive main draw, ensuring both international diversity and elite performance standards.
Winners of the 2026 Edition
The 2026 edition of Les Petits As crowned two outstanding young talents. Aleksandra Karabanova (Russia, born in 2012) captured the U14 girls’ title, confirming her rapid rise on the European junior circuit. In the boys’ draw, Lyoma Hotelier (Japan, born in 2012) claimed the U14 boys’ title, marking a major milestone in his international development pathway.
Photos: Source / Richard van Loon
Les Petits As Within the Global Junior Tennis Pathway
In the worldwide junior tennis structure, Les Petits As occupies a unique and strategic position.
- It represents the highest international reference point at U14 level
- It bridges the gap between regional junior circuits and the ITF Junior circuit (U18)
- It offers players their first experience of high-pressure, global competition
While tournament categories and naming conventions vary across regions (Tennis Europe, COSAT, ATF, COTECC, CAT, USTA), Les Petits As is universally recognized as a pinnacle event at this developmental stage.
Why Les Petits As Matters
For players, coaches, and families, competing at Les Petits As represents:
- A major milestone in a junior tennis career
- An opportunity to measure performance against the world’s best U14 players
- A powerful learning experience in terms of competition, pressure, and international exposure
Few tournaments in junior tennis combine history, prestige, and long-term relevance as consistently as Les Petits As.
Tennis Legends Who Played at Les Petits As
Over the decades, Les Petits As has built an exceptional reputation for identifying future tennis legends at an early age. Many players who later reached the very top of professional tennis first made a global impact in Tarbes.
Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin, and Amélie Mauresmo all competed or shined at Les Petits As before becoming Grand Slam champions and world No.1 players. Other elite professionals such as Michael Chang, Marat Safin, Andy Roddick, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and Svetlana Kuznetsova also passed through the tournament during their formative years.
This extraordinary list of alumni reinforces the tournament’s status as a true global benchmark for U14 tennis excellence.
Alexandra Eala vs Linda Noskova – 2018 Girls’ Final
Les Petits As has featured many young players who later established themselves at the highest levels of professional tennis. One memorable example is the 2018 girls’ final between Alexandra Eala of the Philippines and Linda Noskova of Czechia.
Eala won the title after a closely contested three-set final, 5–7, 6–3, 7–6(5).
Watch the full match on the official Les Petits As YouTube channel.
Watch the Match on YouTube →Conclusion
Les Petits As stands as one of the most important tournaments in the global junior tennis calendar. More than just a competition, it is a symbol of excellence, ambition, and future potential, where the next generation of tennis champions first announces itself on the international stage.
FAQ – Les Petits As
What is Les Petits As?
Les Petits As is one of the world’s leading international U14 tennis tournaments. Held in Tarbes, France, it brings together many of the strongest young players from around the world and is part of the Tennis Europe Junior Tour.
Where is Les Petits As played?
Les Petits As is held in Tarbes, in southwestern France. The international tournament is played at the Parc des Expositions de Tarbes.
What age group can play Les Petits As?
Les Petits As is a 14-and-under tournament. Eligibility depends on the applicable Tennis Europe regulations and the tournament rules for each edition.
Is Les Petits As part of the Tennis Europe Junior Tour?
Yes. Les Petits As is sanctioned by Tennis Europe and has held Super Category status since 2020, placing it among the most prestigious tournaments on the Tennis Europe Junior Tour.
How can a junior player enter Les Petits As?
Entry to the international tournament follows Tennis Europe and Les Petits As rules. For the 2026 edition, players wishing to enter the international tournament were required to have an IPIN code obtained through Tennis Europe. Qualification pathways can also include qualifying events and regional or national selection routes.
Which famous tennis players competed at Les Petits As?
Many future Grand Slam champions competed at Les Petits As during their junior years, including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Carlos Alcaraz, Martina Hingis, Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin.
Continue Exploring Tennis Papers
Discover more junior tennis resources, including player interviews, rankings, tournaments, academies, sponsorship and career development.