Britain’s Hannah Klugman, 14 years old, lands prestigious Orange Bowl title – ‘It’s an amazing feeling’

Britain’s Hannah Klugman added her name to an illustrious list of Orange Bowl champions with a clinical straight-sets victory over Tyra Caterina Grant in the final.

The 14-year-old landed the prestigious under-18 junior title in Florida, joining the likes of Caroline Wozniacki, Chris Evert, Bianca Andreescu, and current US Open champion Coco Gauff in lifting the trophy.

Klugman is one of the sport’s most exciting prospects and became the first Brit to win the main girls’ title, having lost in the final of the under-14s tournament last year.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Klugman said. “I played 14s last year and made the final. I was really gutted I didn’t get the win, and obviously, to get the win at under-18s, it’s incredible.

“This is still just part of the journey – a little step – but it’s nice.

“I was walking past the poster with all the great players [who have won]. I saw Coco Gauff. It’s good that I can be on that board.

“It doesn’t mean anything in the big picture, but hopefully I can make it.”

The victory came at the end of a landmark year for Klugman. The 14-year-old reached the quarter-finals of a junior Grand Slam for the first time at the US Open and finished runner-up in the girls’ doubles at Wimbledon, alongside Isabelle Lacy.

She also became the youngest player to qualify for a W100 ITF event in October, where she made the last eight in Shrewsbury before losing to France’s Oceane Dodin in three sets.

In Florida, however, she went all the way in style. Klugman downed the top-seeded Laura Samsonova and Iva Jovic en route to the final, before completing a comfortable 6-3 6-3 victory over Grant.