Slovenian tennis star wins junior Grand Slam title

Žiga Šeško has made sporting history by becoming the first Slovenian to win a junior boys' singles Grand Slam title.

At the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne, the seventh-seeded Šeško, who is 17, rallied to defeat the American Keaton Hance 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 on 1 February, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

"Winning a grand slam is, I think, what every kid is dreaming of," Šeško said after the match, reflecting on the magnitude of the moment.

"To be able to actually achieve it ... I don't even feel it now, but I'm sure tomorrow or later on I will feel very, very special."

Šeško's triumph marks the first time a Slovenian male junior has won a Grand Slam singles title.

Prior to this, Slovenian success in junior Grand Slams had come only in girls' competition, with Mima Jaušovec winning at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the 1970s, and Katarina Srebotnik lifting the Wimbledon girls' title in 1998.

Asked what it meant to be Slovenia's first junior boys' singles major winner, Šeško admitted he "didn't even know" at first, explaining that he limited his phone use during the tournament to stay focused. "I'm very thankful for the support," he added with a smile.

The victory positions Šeško to transition into senior competition, with the opportunity to enter men's qualifying at next year's Australian Open.

Before that, he will play for Slovenia in next week's Davis Cup encounter against Turkey, which is why he flew home immediately after winning Melbourne.

Photo courtesy of the Slovenian Tennis Association