France claimed its first junior Davis Cup title in over two decades on Sunday defeating the Czech Republic 2-1 in the under-16 world championship final in Cairo, Egypt.
Benoît Geldof, Joseph Phitoussi, and Pablo Pradat secured the victory under the guidance of Grégory Carraz. The triumph marks the fifth time France has won the junior Davis Cup and the first since 2005.
Geldof opened the final by overcoming Tommy Patrik Luxa in three sets, winning 6-7, 6-1, 6-4. Pradat then dropped a tight encounter to Matyas Marsik 2-6, 7-6, 7-5.
L’équipe de France U16 remporte la Coupe Davis Junior ! Super semaine de la part de notre génération 2010, porté par Pablo Pradat et Benoît Geldof 🇫🇷 (Joseph Phitoussi) en 3 eme homme. Vraiment chouette, le Japon puis les tchèques pour s’offrir le titre. Costaud pic.twitter.com/2I7MpkIWrE
With the tie level at 1-1, Geldof and Pradat teamed up in the decisive doubles rubber to defeat Luxa and Marsik 6-3, 6-2. The victory served as redemption for the French pair after losing to the same Czech duo in the decisive doubles match during the summer European championship semifinals at Le Touquet in August.
The French squad reached the final despite a difficult start that included a pool-stage loss to India. Placed under pressure, the team rebounded by defeating the United States, doubles defending champions and top seeds, followed by victories over Serbia and Japan.
“Un énorme bravo à notre équipe U16,” said Gilles Simon, the director of high performance at the French Tennis Federation (FFT), in a statement posted on X.
The under-16 world title crowns a very good year for the players, who were also champions of the winter European teams in February with Valentin Latrubesse, and won bronze medals this summer with Arman Dubreuil.
CHAMPIONS DU MONDE JUNIORS 🏆🇫🇷 L’équipe de France U16 (Benoit Geldof, Pablo Pradat et Joseph Phitoussi) remporte les Davis Cup Finals 2026 après sa victoire en finale face à la Tchéquie (2-1) ! pic.twitter.com/Wg9zfSKKHa
The victory follows a campaign by France’s under-14 team, which also captured a world title in August 2025. “Immense fierté pour le club : notre joueur Pablo Pradat fait partie de cette équipe de folie. Quel parcours et quel suspense lors de cette finale !” the tennis club of La Ferté-sous-Jouarre stated.
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