Early in the 2026 tennis season, the all-Canadian doubles team of Caden Colburne and Andy Tchinda Kepche are already making an impact. The two sixteen-year-olds started their year in the United Arab Emirates, winning two titles together in three weeks.
Here is the monthly junior tennis update.
Canada’s juniors kicked off the season in style at the J100 in Fujairah, with Colburne and Tchinda Kepche beating their countrymen, the Antoines (Clavel and Généreux), in an all-Canadian final.
They lost in the quarter-finals the following week in the first of back-to-back events in Dubai, but bounced back in the second. Colburne and Tchinda Kepche had to dig deep in the semis and final, but came up clutch when they needed to most. The pair won consecutive match tiebreaks, including an 11-9 squeaker in the semis, to lift their second trophy in three weeks.
The J100 titles are the biggest of Colburne’s career so far. Tchinda Kepche already had one in Queretaro last year. Overall, Tchinda Kepche is up to six ITF junior doubles titles overall, while Colburne has five.
Here are the Canadian finalists from ITF Junior Tour events outside of Canada over the last month (titles in bold):
- Caden Colburne: J100 Fujairah boys doubles champion (w/ Tchinda Kepche, d. Clavel/Généreux), J100 Dubai boys doubles champion (w/ Tchinda Kepche)
- Andy Tchinda Kepche: J100 Fujairah boys doubles champion (w/ Colburne, d. Clavel/Généreux), J100 Dubai boys doubles champion (w/ Colburne)
- Felix Roussel: J60 San Jose boys singles champion, J60 San Jose boys doubles runner-up (w/ Woo), J300 San Jose boys singles runner-up
- Filip Malis: J30 Cairo boys doubles champion, J30 Cairo boys singles runner-up
- Charlize Celebrini: J60 San Jose girls singles champion
- Isabella Ruyu Yan: J60 Queretaro girls singles champion
- Xavier Massotte: J300 Salinas boys doubles runner-up
- Antoine Clavel: J100 Fujairah boys doubles runner-up (w/ Généreux, l. to Colburne/Tchinda Kepche)
- Antoine Généreux: J100 Fujairah boys doubles runner-up (w/ Clavel, l. to Colburne/Tchinda Kepche)
- Brayden Woo: J60 San Jose boys doubles runner-up (w/ Roussel)
- Elicia Lin: J60 San Jose girls doubles runner-up (w/ Rochon)
- Lily Rochon: J60 San Jose girls doubles runner-up (w/ Lin)
- Natalie Tastsalashvili: J30 Huamantla girls singles runner-up
- Filip Vujicic: J30 Huamantla boys doubles runner-up
Read also: Auger-Aliassime Sets Canadian Record
Amey Shines at Les Petits As
Les Petits As, the most prestigious U14 event in the world, saw a Canadian flag on the draw board late in the event at the end of January, as 13-year-old Brielle Amey made her way to the quarter-finals in the girls singles.
Amey, who is a member of Tennis Canada’s U15 Prospect Team, got off to a strong start at the event in Tarbes, France, dropping just three games in her first-round win. Her second-round match was much different, lasting nearly three hours. Amey managed to save three match points as she rallied from a set down to defeat Tina Jansone of Latvia 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(5).
Photo : LesPetitsAs
Not showing any ill effects from that battle, the two-time Fischer U12 Outdoor National Champion backed that up with another straight-set win to reach the final eight. There, she was beaten by the top seed and eventual runner-up Elizaveta Anikina of Estonia.
Read also: Mboko Saves Match Point for Andreeva Revenge in Doha Third Round
The alumni list at Les Petits As is illustrious, full of future stars and Grand Slam champions at the professional level, including Canadians Bianca Andreescu and Gabriela Dabrowski.
Lagaev Delivers Best Major Performance
Canada’s top junior, Nadia Lagaev, had the best showing of her career last month in the girls draws at the Australian Open.
In singles, she reached the third round of a junior Grand Slam for the first time. She easily beat Felitsata Dorofeeve-Rybas in the first round before gritting past Antonia Stoyanov in three sets to get to the last sixteen. There, her run was ended by the eventual champion, third-seeded Ksenia Efremova of France.
Photo : Martin Sidorjak
Partnering Antonina Sushkova of France, Lagaev matched her best doubles result at a major by reaching the second round.
Read also: Andreeva, Mboko, and Jovic Lead WTA’s Teen Titans
Dani Szabo was the only other Canadian in a main draw in Melbourne, losing in the first round of the boys doubles. He was seeded sixth in singles qualifying but was upset in the first round. Andrea Cabio competed in qualifying in the girls draw but came up just short, losing in the second and final round.
Learning from the Best
A juniors camp was held at Sobeys Stadium at the end of January, where the players present got some special feedback from a multi-Grand Slam champion.
Canadian legend Daniel Nestor stopped by the stadium for a visit with the boys.
Rankings Update
Lagaev maintains her hold on the mantle of top Canadian junior. She currently sits at a career-high ranking of No. 24 after her performance in Melbourne.
After being without a Top 100 player in the boys rankings for much of 2025, Canada now has three early in 2026.
Read also: Canada Completes Great Escape at Davis Cup in Vancouver
While he is yet to lift a trophy, Xavier Massotte’s fast start to the season, reaching three straight J300 singles semifinals, saw the 17-year-old leap all the way up to No. 40, making him the highest-ranked Canadian boy.
Benjamin Azar currently sits at No. 78, with Dani Szabo just behind him at No. 84.
Check out the full ITF junior rankings here.
Feature Photo : Tennis & Country Club Fujairah/UAE Tennis Federation
