Pohankova makes it back-to-back SW19 singles titles for Slovak girls
Rising star Mia Pohankova is the second Slovakian in as many years to claim the Wimbledon girls’ singles title after defeating Julieta Pareja of the United States in the final of the Junior Championships.
The 16-year-old followed in the footsteps of Renata Jamrichova, who conquered all before her at the Junior Championships 12 months ago, by dispatching fellow 16-year-old Pareja 6-3 6-1.
Pohankova, who was cheered on by a large and noisy contingent of her family and friends, joins an elite band of players being just the fifth Slovakian to lift Junior Grand Slam singles silverware.
As a reminder, Martin Klizan won at Roland Garros in 2006, Kristina Kucova at the 2007 US Open and Tereza Mihalikova at the Australian Open in 2015, while Jamrichova triumphed in Melbourne as well as London last season.
The national significance is not lost on the teenager, who won her maiden professional title at W75 Bratislava on the ITF World Tennis Tour in October 2024 and has continued to test herself within the pro ranks since.
View this post on Instagram
“I am really emotional,” said Pohankova. “This is an incredible moment because Renata won last year which means two Slovak girls have won at Wimbledon in as many years. That is unbelievable for Slovak tennis.
“When I stepped on court and saw the crowd and the big stadium [Court No. 1 at Wimbledon] I was a little bit nervous for the first few games. I just tried to play and do my best.
“I don’t remember what I felt at the moment of victory, probably like I won the whole of Wimbledon. I am so happy and so proud of myself. It was an unbelievable atmosphere out there, a lot of people came to support me, and I really appreciate that.”
Pohankova revealed earlier in the week that she grew up watching Wimbledon on television in Slovakia and the matches of Roger Federer, who claimed the men’s title here on eight occasions, in particular.
He also won the boys’ title at the Junior Championships in 1998 and Pohankova was very much in awe of walking out on the same courts as someone as iconic as Federer knowing what he went on to achieve in his career.
View this post on Instagram
But that is the power of the player pathway and Pohankova has taken the next step on her journey, and while she accepts this is only the beginning of what she hopes to achieve, it is something nobody will be able to take away from her.
“I need to win the real Wimbledon, not just juniors,” added Pohankova. “I think this is just start.”
For every winner, there is a loser. It was harsh of Pareja who conducted herself with distinction on and off the court all week, although it should still be said that her fortnight in London was a resounding success.
Pareja conquered all before her at J300 Roehampton the week before Wimbledon, meaning she has won 11 of the 12 matches she has contested on grass during her fledgling career – and has a shiny new trophy for good measure.
But there were high hopes within American tennis that, with Ronit Karki in the Sunday’s boys’ final, American players were going to win both junior singles titles at Wimbledon for the first since 1981. Zina Garrison and Matt Anger were the ones to triumph then.
As it is, Ronit – over to you.
A full list of results from the 2025 Junior Championships, Wimbledon can be accessed here