ATP Tour
Junior No. 1 Ivanov, 16-year-old Nadal Academy standout, ‘fired up for tennis’
Bulgarian gained Wimbledon and US Open boys’ singles titles this 12 months
September 12, 2025
Sarah Stier/Getty Photos
Ivan Ivanov celebrates his US Open boys’ singles victory.
By ATP Employees
Rafael Nadal reached the head of the PIF ATP Rankings for the primary time in August 2008, shortly after beating Roger Federer within the Wimbledon remaining that’s broadly thought of probably the greatest matches in tennis historical past.
Ivan Ivanov was not born till October that 12 months. However fast-forward 16 years and the Bulgarian trains on the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar and is the No. 1 participant within the ITF Junior Rankings, contemporary off victories at Wimbledon and the US Open.
There was loads of strain on the teenager to carry out in New York because the junior World No. 1 and reigning Wimbledon champion, however he confirmed few nerves in capturing one other Slam title at Flushing Meadows.
“[It was] very robust, that’s for certain. [There were] expectations about that and all of the eyes on you,” Ivanov informed ATPTour.com. “It’s one thing that it’s a must to take very particularly. However I managed it very effectively as we are able to see, and I am very pleased with that outcome.”
Ivanov doesn’t come from a household of tennis gamers. However his father gave him his first racquet and he has not regarded again.
“I simply began taking part in. I met my first coach and like this [there was] only a connection and the those who have been near me, they made me fired up for tennis,” Ivanov mentioned.
“I actually beloved the racquet sports activities firstly. I loved watching with my mother among the old-school tennis, like Roger and Stan. I imply, they are not so old fashioned, however I simply beloved watching them and I simply wished to strive it. I attempted it and I actually beloved it, which made me very completely happy in regards to the sport.”
Stan Wawrinka, now 40, is 24 years the Bulgarian’s elder and nonetheless competing. The Bulgarian additionally regarded as much as the likes of countryman Grigor Dimitrov and 24-time main champion Novak Djokovic, who claimed his first Slam title the 12 months Ivanov was born. 4 years in the past, the Bulgarian moved to Spain to coach at Nadal’s eponymous academy.
“After all, it was very tough as a result of I used to be away from my mother and father and away from my mother,” Ivanov mentioned. “However the factor [is] that I managed to return by means of that and they’re able to come as a lot as doable, [so] this gave me a bit extra confidence in my determination and gave me a bit bit extra a selected cause why ought to I do this.”
The 16-year-old defined that he has significantly loved working with the workers on the academy. Nadal additionally follows Ivanov’s development, congratulating him after his US Open win.
“They’re all tremendous good to me, and good to everybody,” mentioned Ivanov, whose essential coach is Jeremy Paisan. “I like that about them. I get pleasure from being within the academy, and I am so grateful to be there.”
Congratulations Ivan on profitable Wimbledon?ref_src=twsrcpercent5Etfw”>@Wimbledon & @usopen Junior 🏆!
Congrats additionally to all of the @rnadalacademy group! 👏🏻👏🏻 https://t.co/gqzkgK3Lw2
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) September 6, 2025
Ivanov grew to become the third boy this century to carry the Wimbledon and the US Open trophies in the identical 12 months, becoming a member of Dimitrov and Filip Peliwo. The Bulgarian believes he first met Dimitrov at a younger age in Sofia.
“He gave me some good compliments about my sport. He gave me some recommendation,” Ivanov mentioned. “I used to be very motivated to maintain going.”
That has labored for a participant who additionally enjoys golf, studying books by the likes of Jules Verne and watching motion pictures, “I wish to be extra calm,” he mentioned.
However on the court docket, Ivanov is a fiery competitor who has climbed as excessive as No. 795 within the PIF ATP Rankings. This week, he’s representing Bulgaria in Davis Cup for the primary time.
