Fourteen-year-old Israeli tennis player Yshai Oliel won the prestigious Junior Orange Bowl games in Florida Tuesday, in the Boys 14 and Under category, defeating Taiwan's Chen-Jui Ho, 7-5, 7-5. This was the second such win for Oliel, who in 2012 was crowned winner of the games' Boys 12 and Under category, making him the first Israeli player to mark a double win, and only the ninth player to do so in the tournament's 50-year history. The Junior Orange Bowl games are considered the unofficial world championships for teenagers. Players competing in the tournament are widely lauded as prodigies, and past winners include prominent tennis players such as Jimmy Connors, Andy Murray, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles. "It's an honor to win the tournament again," Oliel said after the game. "I'm very happy I won, and I feel I played well throughout the entire tournament." Outgoing Culture and Sport Minister Limor Livnat offered her congratulations, saying, "This is a very impressive achievement. Winning this championship for the second time, Yshai has once again proven how talented he is and how determined he is to make his way to the top of his sports. "Yshai, you have made us proud. You are, without a doubt, one of Israel's most promising future sportsmen and I wish you the best of luck. Even at your young age, you are proof positive of willpower and determination. You are a role model for other children and teenagers in Israel," she said. Israeli Tennis Federation CEO Shlomo Glickstein said, "This is an even bigger achievement than two years ago. This places Yshai among the top three players in the world in his age group. We have little doubt that if he continues to work hard he could wake his way to the top of world tennis."
Tennis Federation Chairman Assaf Tuchmayer said, "The Tennis Federation is honored to have such a player within its ranks, not only for his performance on the field but also for his character. He's a true professional."
