Minas Gerais from Belo Horizonte, Vitória Miranda, aged 18, won the award for best junior wheelchair tennis player in 2025, awarded by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The entity regulates the sport and also organizes youth and senior tournaments, Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup. This is the first time that a Brazilian has been awarded the ITF Junior of the Year Award.
Last year, Vitória won titles: 10 in singles and another eight in doubles. The main ones were obtained from the Australian Open and in Roland Garros in the youth category – in both Grand Slams the Brazilian won a double of trophies (singles and doubles). The Minas Gerais native also won two gold medals in the Parapan de Jovens de Santiago (Chile) in the singles and mixed doubles, alongside Luiz Calixto.
“I feel a lot of gratitude; there is nothing better than ending my last year as a junior with this international recognition. My best memories of 2025 were the singles title at the Australian Open, entering the top 20 of the adult women’s world rankings, being South American champion, playing with great players and evolving as a person – especially as an athlete, said Vitória, who had already received the trophy for best tennis athlete in December at the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) awards.
On the adult circuit, the Minas Gerais native was singles champion in the ITFs Future Series in São Paulo (SP), Uberlândia (MG), Caldas Novas (GO) and Barranquilla (Colombia). In addition to her technical performance, the Junior of the Year Award considered the Brazilian’s performance outside the court.
“[Vitória] Miranda gives motivational talks at schools and other community events, sharing her journey in wheelchair tennis and emphasizing the importance of accessibility, perseverance and empowerment for people with disabilities. In doing so, she inspires others to believe in sport as a path to transformation”, praised the ITF, which created the award in 2020.
In the men’s category, the winner was 16-year-old Australian Jim Woodman, who jumped 12 positions in the singles ranking in 2025 (started the year in 20th and finished in 8th place). In December, Vitória had already received the trophy for best tennis athlete at the Brazilian Paralympic Committee awards ceremony in São Paulo.
