25 June 2025
European Summer Cup Qualifiers Kick Off in Gaziantep
The 14&U European Summer Cups Qualifying event kicked off today with an opening ceremony at the Gaziantep Mehmet Şimşek Tennis Complex. Organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Turkish Tennis Federation, Gaziantep Governorship, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, and Tennis Europe, the tournament will take place between 25–27 June and features 30 athletes from 8 countries. The teams that finish first in the qualifiers, where our 14&U Girls’ and Boys’ National Teams are also competing, will earn the right to participate in the final stages to be held from 30 June to 2 July 2025.
“We are building an environment of international interaction and camaraderie through tennis, together.”
President of the Turkish Tennis Federation, Şafak Müderrisgil, expressed their pride in hosting the Tennis Europe Summer Cups Qualifiers, one of Europe’s most prestigious youth events, during his speech at the opening ceremony.
Emphasizing that the Gaziantep Mehmet Şimşek Tennis Complex, with its modern infrastructure, is not only a source of pride for Gaziantep but also for Türkiye, Müderrisgil stated that the facility is fully equipped to host an international event of this level. On behalf of Turkish tennis, she extended her gratitude to Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek for his valuable contributions to the development of Turkish tennis; to Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin, one of the key figures behind the organization, for her support in fostering a sports culture in Gaziantep; and to Governor of Gaziantep Kemal Çeber.
Stating that they aim to spread tennis across the entire country, Müderrisgil said:
As the Turkish Tennis Federation, we are striving to transform tennis from a sport appealing only to certain regions or limited circles into one that reaches people of all ages and backgrounds across the country, turning it into our sporting and tennis culture. In this regard, under the umbrella of our Ministry of Youth and Sports, we aim to expand the reach of tennis through close cooperation with local administrations, universities, and non-governmental organizations. We seek to engage our children, youth, women, and individuals with disabilities in sport and tennis. With this organization today, we are creating an environment of international interaction and solidarity through tennis in Gaziantep, a city rich in history and culture. Once again, the unifying power of sport reveals itself here. Let us not forget that this tournament is not only a ground for competition, but also a platform where new friendships are formed, fair play is upheld, and the foundations of future successes are laid. Wishing everyone a week full of tennis and inspiration.
“We sincerely hope that you leave this tournament having had a truly enjoyable experience.”
Gaziantep Governor Kemal Çeber expressed his great pleasure in hosting all participants in Gaziantep and said: “I wish the best of luck to all participants. At this point, everyone who has come here and will be competing is already a champion in our hearts. We sincerely hope that you leave this tournament having had a truly enjoyable experience and return from Gaziantep with wonderful memories. You are in one of the most beautiful, and safest cities in the world. As Gaziantep, we are fully prepared to host all sporting events at both national and international levels.”
"Youth and sports complement each other."
Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin stated that they are hosting the event to achieve the goal of making Gaziantep a city of sports with the spirit of Europe, and said: “Youth and sports complement each other. One means future, the other means life. Youth is existence; it completes nations. The best lesson to take from this is the importance of sports. Sport unites, it is brotherhood, discipline, life. Tennis is one of the most important fields within sports. Tennis is a sport where you warm up with your opponent before the match even begins. Tennis is strategy. Tennis is intelligence. Tennis is team spirit. Tennis is endurance. Tennis is strength. Tennis is speed. Most importantly, tennis is soul. You, our tennis players, will build the world of the future. While new Federers and new İpeks rise and play at Wimbledon, you will say: ‘We went to Gaziantep when we were 14, we saw the courts in Gaziantep, we saw the friendship, the brotherhood, the sincerity, and the affection in Gaziantep.’ There are no losers in sport, you are all winners, you are all the most special in our hearts.”
Gaziantep Provincial Director of Youth and Sports, Numan Nafiz Şahin, congratulated the participants in his opening speech and wished them success in the competitions they will take part in.
25 June 2025
