Champions crowned at first-ever Fila junior event played alongside BNP Paribas Open

Shad Powers, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·2 min read
4

The first-ever Fila International Junior Championships played alongside the BNP Paribas Open concluded Sunday as the girls' and boys' singles champions were crowned, giving fans an up-close look at the future of American tennis.

The girls' title went to Clervie Ngounoue in dominating fashion, as she needed just over an hour to top Theadora Rabman 6-1, 6-2. The 16-year-old from Washington D.C. showed off her power game and her accuracy as she was in top form ripping groundstrokes into the corners seemingly at will while playing on the same Stadium 2 court that the pros have been playing on the last 14 days.

"This was a really cool experience, I'm really glad they made it a thing," said Ngounoue (pronounced nGOONaway), adding that she didn't take time to watch any of the pros play. "It's kind of like a blur at the start of the tournament because you know you're in the same area as the pros and I've been in a couple of juniors Slams, too. It's kind of like you forget that you can actually go and see them."

Clervie Ngounoue defeated Theadora Rabman 6-1, 6-2 in the Juniors Tournament final at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., on Sunday, March 19, 2023.
Clervie Ngounoue defeated Theadora Rabman 6-1, 6-2 in the Juniors Tournament final at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., on Sunday, March 19, 2023.

As far as Sunday's win, Ngounoue felt like she was in a consistent groove.

"She brought out a big challenge for me," Ngounoue said. "The score doesn't tell it all, it never does, but I stayed pretty solid. It was one of the finals that I will keep in my memory."

In the boys' match, Cooper Woestendick, a 16-year-old from Kansas, outlasted Brit Oliver Bonding in a marathon match that ended 6-7 (6), 7-6 (5), 6-2.

American Cooper Woestendick returns to Oliver Bonding of Great Britain during their Juniors Tournament championship match at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., on Sunday, March 19, 2023.
American Cooper Woestendick returns to Oliver Bonding of Great Britain during their Juniors Tournament championship match at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., on Sunday, March 19, 2023.

It's a big moment for both singles winners because aside from a small crystal trophy, they get something more valuable -- a spot in the qualifying tournament for next year's BNP Paribas Open.

Even in a loss, Rabman said this tournament was a treat to be a part of.

"It's a great event, the tournament directors did a great job and it was run very smoothly," the 17-year-old said. "It was very cool to be part of the same tournament as the pros."

Although, like Ngounoue, Rabman didn't go watch the pros play.

"I don't actually watch tennis that much, which is kind of weird I know," Rabman said. "My favorite playing style is Novak, but that's a pretty common answer. But it was exciting to be out here at this event."

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: BNP Paribas Open: Champions crowned in first-ever Fila junior event at Indian Wells