Dallas Junior Leads U.S. Boys to ITF Finals Runner-Up

PROSTEJOV, Czechia — At just 14 years old, Dallas native Tristan Ascenzo represented the United States on one of junior tennis’ biggest stages, helping the U.S. boys’ team to a runner-up finish at this year’s ITF World Junior Tennis Finals.

“It was an absolute honor to compete for the U.S. on the international level,” Ascenzo said. “Wearing the flag on my back was motivating, especially in close matches where I wasn’t feeling my best physically or mentally. It reminded me I was playing for my country and my teammates.”

The U.S. squad — Ascenzo, along with Indra Vergne and Alexander Anderson of California — came within one match of defending its 2023 title run but fell to France in a tightly contested final.

“My match was a very tight and physical match that was decided by a few points here and there,” Ascenzo said. “I think our matchup with France could’ve gone either way.”

Preparation was a key part of the team’s strategy, both on and off the court. The players focused on controlling the factors they could, from maintaining a consistent sleep schedule to fueling their bodies with proper nutrition and staying hydrated throughout long match days. Warm-ups and cool-downs were done with intention, ensuring they were physically ready for each challenge and recovering properly afterward. Ascenzo said these small, consistent habits added up, helping the team feel sharper and more confident in high-pressure moments.

“Our main focus was to improve by 1% whenever we could,” he said. “That meant controlling what we could — sleeping early, nutrition, hydration, warming up and cooling down with intention.”

For Ascenzo, tennis has always been a family effort built on countless hours of dedication. He grew up playing on public courts in his Dallas neighborhood, often late into the evening, with his mother serving as his only coach. Without the resources of a formal academy or private training facility, the two relied on discipline, creativity and persistence to develop his game. Over the years, those sessions became more than just practice, they were a shared pursuit that strengthened both his skills and his bond with his mom, who he credits for shaping his competitive spirit and unwavering belief in himself.

Ascenzo credits his mom not only for her technical guidance, but also for instilling the mental toughness and work ethic that have carried him onto the world stage.

“The most influential person in my development has definitely been my mom,” he said. “She cares so much and has put in the work with me every day.”

The boys’ team drew inspiration from the U.S. girls’ squad, which captured this year’s title with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Canada. Throughout the week in Prostejov, the two teams made it a point to support one another, watching matches from the stands, offering encouragement between points, and celebrating each win together. This sense of camaraderie helped create a positive and motivating atmosphere, fueling both teams to perform at their best. Ascenzo noted that seeing the girls overcome challenges and succeed inspired the boys to elevate their own games and reminded them of the pride in representing their country as part of a united team effort

Ascenzo said seeing the girls battle through adversity and ultimately lift the trophy was both motivating and unifying, reinforcing the pride of representing the United States as part of a larger team effort. 

“We supported each other the whole tournament, and it was inspiring to watch each other have success,” Ascenzo said.

Competing in Prostejov brought its own challenges. “Honestly, we didn’t explore much because the days were packed,” he said with a laugh. “But it was definitely hard learning there was no AC in Czechia.”

U.S. Captain Jon Glover stressed three key elements throughout the event: effort, engagement and attitude. He reminded the players that these traits, combined with thorough preparation, could make the difference in tight matches. His guidance helped the players build resilience and mental toughness, qualities that proved essential in the intense competition. 

According to Ascenzo, these principles not only guided the team’s approach in Prostejov but will also serve as a foundation for his future development. 

“He also emphasized preparation,” Ascenzo said. “Those are lessons I’ll carry forward.”

The standout moment of the week for Ascenzo came in the quarterfinals against Japan, where he clinched the team victory with a tense 7-6 third-set win over their No. 1 player. The match was a battle of endurance and nerves, with long rallies and momentum shifts keeping both teams on edge. Each point demanded intense focus and resilience as the pressure mounted in the decisive moments. Ascenzo said he drew on his mental toughness and trusted his training to stay composed, ultimately securing the win that propelled the U.S. team into the semifinals.

He said he took pride in the way he fought through the pressure, trusted his game plan, and stayed composed in the deciding moments. “I believed I won playing the right way,” he said, noting that the victory was especially meaningful because it secured the U.S. boys’ spot in the semifinals.

“I had pride in that match because of how well I fought and because I believed I won playing the right way,” he said.

Looking ahead, Ascenzo hopes to represent the U.S. again in the Junior Davis Cup and earn spots in the Junior Grand Slams. 

“This performance will definitely give me confidence on the international stage moving forward,” he said.

The U.S. has now reached the boys’ final eight times, winning the title seven times.