The IC U16 Junior Challenge began in 2005 with the goal of offering a new international competition opportunity to young players and helping to introduce them to the ethos of the International Club. In 2018, we were honoured that tennis icon and longstanding IC member, Rod Laver, agreed to endorse the event by adding his name to its title - and it has since been known as "The IC Rod Laver Junior Challenge".

The competition, which is the only IC event for juniors, aims to provide an opportunity for promising young players to begin a relationship with their respective ICs, travel abroad to compete, and learn about new cultures in the true spirit of the IC. Alongside the tennis, players engage in a full and rewarding itinerary of off-court activities, often including cultural sightseeing and tennis clinics for children from underprivileged backgrounds. The players often comment on how much they enjoy getting to socialise with other players and participate in experiences they wouldn’t get at other tennis competitions – in a way that embodies the IC motto: "Hands across the net, friendship across the ocean."

The event is open to all ICs around the world (over 40 countries) and runs on a two-year cycle of regional qualifiers and a Worldwide Finals. A regional qualifiers is played in each of five regions, with the winner progressing to the Worldwide Finals the following year, along with a team from the host country. The event is very fortunate to have had the Worldwide Finals played at some of the world’s most iconic tennis venues, including the Monte Carlo Country Club and All England Lawn Tennis Club.

Each team is comprised of two U16 girls and two U16 boys, who compete in two singles matches and two doubles matches against each country. If the scores are 3 matches apiece, a deciding mixed doubles super tiebreak is then played to decide the result.

We are very grateful to the sponsors who have enabled the continuation of this wonderful event: Compass Group who supported the first twelve years of the event, and now Palantir and individual donors who have since enabled the event to continue to such a high standard.

For more information on The IC Rod Laver Junior Challenge, please contact Emily Arbuthnott at the IC Council.

You can also view some videos from our Instagram channel below:

• Interview with Rod Laver by Julian Tatum, creator of the Junior Challenge (2023 Worldwide Finals, La Jolla)
• Tennis highlights (2025 Worldwide Finals, Barcelona)
• Mixed doubles tiebreak (2023 Worldwide Finals, La Jolla)
• US TV coverage of the 2023 Worldwide Finals in La Jolla
• Tennis clinic with local children (2023 Worldwide Finals, San Diego)
• Off-court player challenge (2025 Worldwide Finals, Barcelona)

  The Story of the IC Junior Challenge