Teenager Mika Stojsavljevic has become the first Briton in 15 years to win the US Open Girls’ title after a dominant 6-4 6-4 victory over Wakana Sonobe in New York over the weekend.
Mika, who is a pupil at Loughborough Amherst School, part of The Loughborough Schools Foundation, will now have her name etched into the US Open history books alongside previous winners.
The 15-year-old is part of the Loughborough University National Tennis Academy (LUNTA), a partnership with Loughborough University and the Lawn Tennis Association which provides selected academy members with world-class coaching, science, medicine, and welfare expertise from Loughborough University National Academy staff.
Academy members also receive an excellent education, boarding and pastoral provision at Loughborough Amherst School, with dedicated Academic tutors who ensure academy athletes, like Mika, can balance their studies alongside their tennis training and competitions.
“I'm super happy and super grateful," Mika said. "Thank you to my family for supporting me back home and to the crowd here; you've been great. It was quite nerve-wracking, I had to trust my serve and treat it like any game. I like fighting, it's so fun to compete and play every match. When you win it's such a great feeling.”
This is not the first time a LUNTA member has bought home a major title; Loughborough Amherst alumnus and previous LUNTA academy member Henry Searle, was crowned the Junior Wimbledon Boys’ singles champion in 2023.
Mr James Neville, Head of Loughborough Amherst School said: “We are absolutely delighted for Mika; the Amherst community was united in its support for her and is incredibly proud. Whilst it is back to her studies for now, we shall continue to enable academic flexibility for her to ensure that she is able to succeed not only on the court, but also in the classroom.”
For more information about LUNTA, please visit https://lsf.org/amherst/sport/national-tennis-academy/