Bayer International Junior Tournament of Salsomaggiore

A breeding ground for champions since 1984

The Bayer International Junior Tournament of Salsomaggiore is one of the most important youth tennis events in Italy and Europe. Founded in 1984, it is held every spring on the clay courts of the Tennis Club Salsomaggiore Terme, in the heart of the spa town in the province of Parma, Emilia-Romagna. Included in the international calendar of the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors with the J200 category, the tournament attracts hundreds of under-18 young athletes from every continent each year.

Why it's so important

In its over forty years of history, Salsomaggiore has become an unmissable stop for world tennis prospects: many players who later entered the world top 10 have passed through these courts, including Jannik Sinner. For the boys and girls participating, it is a fundamental opportunity to earn points in the junior rankings and showcase themselves to international coaches, federations, and scouts.

How it unfolds

The event spans about nine days: it starts with the qualifiers, followed by the main draws for singles and doubles, men's and women's, leading up to the semi-finals and finals. The matches are played on the courts of the Tennis Club in Viale del Lavoro, with the collaboration of partner clubs in the area (Tennis Club Fidenza, Tennis Club Tabiano, and Circolo Sportivo Cabriolo). The historic main sponsor is Bayer, which complements the competition with initiatives related to the well-being and health of young athletes.

Salsomaggiore and the Fiera di San Vitale

The tournament traditionally takes place straddling late April and early May, a period when Salsomaggiore Terme experiences its liveliest moments thanks to the concurrent Fiera di San Vitale. For fans, it is therefore the perfect opportunity to combine a day of high-level tennis with the discovery of one of Italy's most elegant spa towns, famous for its Art Nouveau thermal baths and its imposing Palazzo dei Congressi. Entry to the tournament is free, and the matches on the key days are also broadcast on television on SuperTennis.