Every January, the Australian Open crowns the first Junior Grand Slam champions of the season, a collection of teenagers overflowing with talent, ambition, and expectations.
Some of these players go on to build meaningful ATP careers. Others peak before ever reaching the game’s highest levels.
Here’s a look at the last 15 boys’ champions and runner-ups, and how these Australian Open boys junior champions pro careers have gone thus far.
Boys – Last 15 Australian Open Junior Champions & Runner-Ups
| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Henry Bernet (SUI) | Benjamin Willwerth (USA) | 6-3 6-4 |
| 2024 | Rei Sakamoto (JPN) | Jan Kumstat (CZE) | 3-6 7-6(2) 7-5 |
| 2023 | Alexander Blockx (BEL) | Learner Tien (USA) | 6-1 2-6 7-6(9) |
| 2022 | Bruno Kuzuhara (USA) | Jakub Mensik (CZE) | 7-6(4) 6-7(6) 7-5 |
| 2021 | Not held | ||
| 2020 | Harold Mayot (FRA) | Arthur Cazaux (FRA) | 6-4 6-1 |
| 2019 | Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) | Emilio Nava (USA) | 4-6 6-2 7-6(12) |
| 2018 | Sebastian Korda (USA) | Chun Hsin Tseng (TPE) | 7-6(6) 6-4 |
| 2017 | Zsombor Piros (HUN) | Yshai Oliel (ISR) | 4-6 6-4 6-3 |
| 2016 | Oliver Anderson (AUS) | Jurabeck Karimov (UZB) | 6-2 1-6 6-1 |
| 2015 | Roman Safiullin (RUS) | Seong Chan Hong (KOR) | 7-5 7-6 |
| 2014 | Alexander Zverev (GER) | Stefan Kozlov (USA) | 6-3 6-0 |
| 2013 | Nick Kyrgios (AUS) | Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) | 7-6 6-3 |
| 2012 | Luke Saville (AUS) | Filip Peliwo (CAN) | 6-3 5-7 6-4 |
| 2011 | Jiri Vesely (CZE) | Luke Saville (AUS) | 6-0 6-3 |
| 2010 | Tiago Fernandes (BRA) | Sean Berman (USA) | 7-5 6-3 |
| 2009 | Yuki Bhambri (IND) | Alexandros Georgoudas (GER) | 6-3 6-1 |
Most Successful Professional Transitions
Some of these Australian Open boys junior champions pro careers have turned out fairly well, but Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, Lorenzo Musetti, and Sebastian Korda stand out as the strongest transitions to the ATP Tour.
However, many of the past 15 junior Australian Open boys junior champions pro careers for ATP Tour players like Tiago Fernandes, Harold Mayot, and Oliver Anderson, struggled to make a real impact.
Even some runner-ups, like Jakub Mensik (Miami Open Masters 1000 champion) have already surpassed the champions they lost to. Australian Open junior boys slam trophies identify talent, but pro success still requires physical development, discipline, and the ability to perform consistently at a higher level.
- Junior Grand Slam success is a sign of talent, but far from a guarantee of ATP stardom.
- Players like Zverev, Kyrgios, Korda, and Musetti are the exception — most Australian Open winners struggle to translate junior success into consistent pro results.
- Australian Open runner-ups sometimes outperform champions; don’t assume the trophy-holder will always be the future star.
- Physical development, discipline, mental toughness, Wild Cards, luck, putting together a solid team, and injury management are critical in the pro transition.
- Early flashes in juniors (aces, shot-making, big wins) don’t always indicate sustainable pro-level career
- None of the past 15 Australian Open Boys singles champions have won a Grand Slam singles title as a professional.
How to Avoid the Hype Machine
- Track long-term growth and physical readiness, not just titles.
- Look at runner-ups and semi-finalists as they sometimes have stronger pro potential than the champion.
- Be wary of media narratives from “analysts” that have never made a nickel on a tennis court, as they often exaggerate a teenager’s success.
- Remember: the pro tour is a marathon, not a sprint; junior Australian Open dominance doesn’t equal instant ATP results nor does a slow start to their pro careers indicate future failure.
