At a major European U14 tennis tournament, Rafael stood out as a dominant force, showcasing maturity and competitive spirit beyond his years.
His journey to the final was impressive, culminating in a hard-fought win against Dutch player Lorens Dreiver (6-1, 3-6, 6-2). After losing the second set, Rafael bounced back strong, proving his resilience. His semifinal win over Austria’s Moritz Freitag was a sweet revenge for a previous Wimbledon U14 final loss.
Winning the U14 European Championship cements Rafael as one of tennis’s brightest emerging stars. His natural talent combined with hard work points to a promising future.
Beginnings on the court
“I started tennis because of my dad, who took me to the court at age two. I always wanted to keep playing and win,” Rafael shared. At 10, after winning the Greek National Championship, he realized tennis was his true passion, choosing it over basketball. By 10, he was already competing internationally.
Transitioning from U12 to U14 meant tougher competition. “In U14, no one gives up. Everyone fights,” he explained.
Balancing tennis and school
To pursue tennis seriously, Rafael left traditional school at 12, switching to online classes. His daily routine is intense: gym, tennis, schoolwork, more tennis, and practice serves before bed. He rarely finds time for hobbies but enjoys occasional basketball with his dad.
Favorite player and style
Rafael admires Carlos Alcaraz for his aggressive style and drop shots, trying to emulate his game.
After winning Greek junior titles, Rafael moved abroad for better training—first to the Netherlands, then Cyprus, and now training at Marcos Baghdatis’s academy, with offers from Mouratoglou Tennis Academy.
Living abroad and career milestones
Spending two years in the Netherlands helped Rafael develop socially and competitively, staying No.1 in U10.
He has made waves in junior tournaments like Les Petits As and Junior Orange Bowl (3rd in 2024), and at IMG Future Stars, reaching semifinals and finals in consecutive years.
In Tennis Europe, he has reached 31 finals and won 21 titles over two years. Despite often facing older players, Rafael has won seven singles tournaments already in 2025.
Tsitsipas on Rafael
Stefanos Tsitsipas praised Rafael’s talent and dedication, hoping to play with him in the Davis Cup. He advised Rafael not to rush success but to focus on daily improvement, emphasizing dedication and love for the sport.
