by Linda Serotta
Jonah Serotta, 16, of the Racquet Club of Philadelphia captured both the U17 and U19 titles at the French Open Junior Real Tennis Championships at Fontainebleau, turning in an impressive performance against an international field representing Cambridge, Wellington, Paris, Philadelphia, and Fontainebleau.
The tournament was played on one of the oldest courts in the world. Built in 1601 at the Château de Fontainebleau, the court retains distinctive features rarely seen elsewhere. Chases are measured in even numbers, players duck under the net to change ends, and the famously lively floor produces high, unpredictable bounces that reward creativity and patience. Coming from Philadelphia, widely considered the bounciest court in the United States, the dramatically more dynamic Fontainebleau court presented an immediate challenge. Jonah arrived a day early to familiarize himself with the court’s intense bounce and distinctive angles. He quickly learned how to read the unusual rebounds, and a season of high school squash proved particularly helpful in adjusting to the fast, unpredictable play.
In the U17 quarterfinal, Jonah faced Riya Bharwad of Cambridge, the tournament’s only female competitor and a contender for the 2026 Girls World Championship. Bharwad handled the pace well, producing thoughtful and competitive rallies. One highlight came when Jonah struck three grille shots in succession on his way to an 8-1 victory.
In the U19 quarterfinal, Jonah met Teo Victoir of Paris and delivered a composed performance, controlling the rallies and advancing 8-0.
In an unusual twist, both the U17 and U19 finals featured the same matchup, Jonah against Philippe-Antoine Travis of Paris. The finals became tactical battles to regain the service end, with both players frequently employing hazard chases and targeting the galleries. Extended rallies and careful placement defined the contests, each player probing for openings while navigating Fontainebleau’s lively and unpredictable floor. Jonah also used the giraffe serve effectively, whose chaotic trajectory proved particularly well suited to the bouncy surface, creating awkward rebounds and forcing errors.
Serotta captured the U17 final 10-4 and followed with a 6-3, 6-4 victory in the U19 final. Each match lasted about an hour. With a 45 minute break between finals, Jonah and his mom took a walk through the castle gardens before returning to the court.
Watch the U17 Final here:
Off the court, the weekend captured what makes junior real tennis special. A Saturday night dinner brought together six players from England and the United States, and friendships formed quickly. One of the best parts of international junior tournaments is making new friends and leaving with new courts to visit.
Many thanks to Guillaume Dortu for organizing a warm and memorable tournament, and to the generous donors of the United States Court Tennis Preservation Foundation for supporting junior players and helping make Jonah’s trip to France possible.
Looking ahead, Jonah is seeking challenging matches over the summer months in preparation for the U.S. Junior Championships in July, followed by the British Junior Championships and the World Junior Championships in August.
