The G Circuit is born in Valencia: a new boost to youth tennis
In 2025, the youngest ones will enjoy an experience marked by their professional environment and the Valencian culture. "We want to be the reference in youth tennis in Spain".
The day Juan Carlos Ferrero turned down an offer to train in Barcelona, unknowingly, he was changing the history of tennis in our country. His decision laid the first stone of a new empire in the Mediterranean, just a bit south of the Catalan city. Since then, new players, coaches, tournaments, and Academies have been emerging non-stop, positioning the Valencian Community as the trendy place nationally. This wave has been well utilized by G Tennis, the center that currently excels in combining high-level competition with grassroots tennis. Already a reference in Valencia, their plan for 2025 is to take a step further and build a new circuit that will elevate the passion for tennis at a regional level.
Circuito G, that's the name chosen by the founding members of the project: Sergio Gallego, Iván Gallego, Dani Gimeno, and Jorge García. Nevertheless, the circuit's director will be Andrés Parisca, a trusted individual who has been part of this venture since day one. “What we propose is an innovative series of junior tennis tournaments to establish Valencia as the hub for tennis development in Spain,” Andrés enthusiastically shares. The circuit will consist of four high-level tournaments, each honoring a figure from the region: Copa Dani Gimeno (February), Copa Anabel Medina (March), Copa Pablo Andújar (May), and a final master event named Copa Roberto Bautista (date to be confirmed) where the top 8 players from each category will compete via an internal ranking. The four tournaments will take place at the Resort Mas Camarena facilities with its six clay courts, ensuring a tennis atmosphere from the moment you step foot in Bétera, 20km from the capital.
Each tournament will span three weekends (except the master event) with a total of six categories: cadet, under-12, and under-14, for both male and female, with 16 players per category. How will they accommodate so many matches? Through a simple concept: organization and experience gained on the tour. Simply check the tournament magazine to quickly grasp the entire schedule, with all matches assigned dates and times, leaving no loose ends. Each event will have a detailed program with relevant information regarding schedules, regulations, services, and activities, ensuring entertainment for families and spectators attending. Seating at the court? Clinics? Padel? Pickleball? Kids area? The list includes everything, even a motto that encapsulates the entire experience: 'No culture without sports'.
VALENCIAN IDENTITY
The main goal of the tournament is to offer cadets, under-12, and under-14 players a unique competitive experience, based on a Round Robin format where each player is guaranteed at least four matches, as their position within the group determines whether they advance to an ATP Draw or a Challenger Draw, the latter with an elimination format from the quarterfinals onwards. “This ensures that each child plays a minimum of four matches, while also having two champions and two finalists per category,” highlights Andrés. At G Tennis, they were clear that they needed to infuse color both on and off the courts, hence their focus on promoting Valencia's culture to introduce everyone to the traditions of the region.
The tournaments will feature various cultural elements paying tribute to the painter Joaquín Sorolla and the Mediterranean light, whether through the tournament posters or the trophies themselves, designed with a prism that quickly transports you to the Impressionism of the era and, specifically, to the Valencian genius. A strong connection to the local identity where traditions can be emphasized and celebrated through the sporting talent that the region continues to nurture year after year.
“The Circuito G logo features the colors of the Valencian Community, a key detail we want to emphasize. If all goes well, hopefully, we can replicate this model in other places, like Andalusia, for example. Our dream is to expand this idea nationally next year, involving another city or cities, but for now, we need to establish this model regionally. Here, we have the best facilities and team; there's no reason why this shouldn't succeed,” ensures Parisca, fully focused on achieving the 2025 mission.
A UNIQUE CIRCUIT
Until now, we were familiar with the Rafa Nadal Tour, the Champions Bowl, or the MMO sub16, circuits that have been established nationally over recent years. A good starting point to develop a different kind of tournament that goes a step further: adding a splash of color, an extra touch of warmth around the courts to position Valencia at the forefront of these categories.
“There are many circuits, but we feel that, from a sports perspective, the essence has been somewhat lost,” notes Andrés. “We see larger draws where kids come, lose, and leave, not even getting the chance to compete. That's why we believe in this idea and format,” continues the director. They know that rankings will determine player entry into each draw, but what will enhance this experience even more is the environment prepared at G Tennis to ensure that boys and girls leave so delighted that they only think about coming back for more.
“It won't be a professional tournament, obviously, but there are many things we want to do to make the players feel like it's one,” expresses the director with a tone hinting at a long list of proposals. “We will have a private player area for resting between matches; only provide meals through tickets included in the registration; a tournament program like at major events; a sticker album featuring all tournament participants for trading and keepsakes; each player will have their accreditation as in professional events; and of course, a massive presence on social networks and some traditional media to ensure the players have visibility,” Andrés concludes, still working towards ITF allowing them to implement coaching during matches. This alone makes the experience worthwhile, not to mention the prize aspect. Sports equipment valued at €3,000 for each champion and finalist, plus a welcome pack for all participants.
As is customary in tournaments for these age groups, the final touch comes from promoting values. It will be a sustainable tournament advocating for gender equality and education, with initiatives reducing environmental impact via digital platforms. At the Resort Mas Camarena, they are eagerly awaiting the start of Circuito G in February. A dream come true where several objectives will be pursued simultaneously: promoting junior tennis in Spain and encouraging the sport's development, all supported by a place like Valencia that fosters future generations of tennis players. Will you join?
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Nace el Circuito G en Valencia: un nuevo impulso al tenis juvenil