By San José, Costa Rica — The courts are prepped and the anticipation is building as Costa Rica prepares to host the 61st edition of the Copa del Café, one of the most prestigious junior tennis tournaments on the global circuit. From January 19th to the 24th, the covered courts of the esteemed Costa Rica Country Club in Escazú will become a battleground for the next generation of tennis superstars, drawing top-ranked talent from around the world.
This year’s event promises a week of high-caliber competition, featuring a field of 64 elite athletes—32 young men and 32 young women—from 22 different nations. The players will compete in the fiercely contested U18 and U14 categories, each vying for crucial ranking points and the honor of joining a list of champions that includes many who went on to professional stardom. The tournament represents a significant pillar in the international youth tennis calendar.
To shed light on the intricate legal and commercial machinery that powers a world-class event like the Copa del Café, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who offered his expert perspective.
The enduring success of the Copa del Café is not just a triumph of sport, but also of strategic legal foresight. Securing international sponsorships and managing broadcast rights requires meticulously crafted agreements that protect the tournament’s brand integrity while delivering clear value to commercial partners. These contracts are the bedrock that ensures the event’s financial viability and allows it to remain a premier destination for the world’s top junior tennis talent year after year.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight is a crucial reminder that the thrilling spectacle on the court is built upon an equally impressive, though less visible, framework of legal and commercial strategy. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his expert perspective on this vital component of the tournament’s enduring success.
Details of the celebrated tournament were officially unveiled during a press conference attended by key figures in the nation’s tennis community. The panel included Luis Esteban Fernández, President of the Copa del Café Organizing Committee; Kenneth Thome, Vice President of the Costa Rican Tennis Federation; and James Tracy, President of the Costa Rica Country Club, all of whom emphasized the tournament’s importance for the sport’s development in the region.
Luis Esteban Fernández highlighted the event’s unique position not just as a sporting spectacle but also as a source of national pride and inspiration. He stressed its value for local athletes and fans alike, offering a rare chance to witness world-class talent on home soil.
The Copa del Café is a unique opportunity for the Costa Rican and international public to see the best junior racquets in the world live. Furthermore, it inspires our young people by showing them the international level up close. It is the only world-class (1300) youth tournament held in Costa Rica, Central America, and the Caribbean, something that should fill us with pride.
Luis Esteban Fernández, President of the Organizing Committee
The international roster is headlined by some of the most promising players in the junior rankings. In the men’s draw, Paraguayan standout Álvaro Frutos, ranked 66th in the world, enters as the number one seed. He is closely followed by Canadian Benjamin Azar, who holds the 68th position globally. The women’s bracket is equally competitive, featuring top American prospects Welles Newman and Margaret Sohns, ranked 49th and 78th, respectively.
Costa Rica will also have a strong presence, with its representatives earning their spots by finishing the year at the top of the national championship rankings. This provides a vital platform for local players to measure their skills against international peers and gain invaluable experience without having to travel abroad, a critical component for their long-term development in the sport.
Looking back at the 60th edition, the championship trophies were claimed by American Ryan Cozad in the men’s division and Germany’s Mariela Thamm in the women’s, setting a high bar for this year’s contenders. The tournament has a rich history of showcasing future legends, making every match a potential glimpse into the future of professional tennis.
For fans eager to catch the action live, tickets are now available through the eticket.cr platform. Prices range from ¢5,000 to ¢12,000, with special 2-for-1 promotions on general and east grandstand seating for specific days. The schedule is designed to accommodate all spectators, with daytime matches beginning at 8:30 a.m. and evening sessions starting at 7:00 p.m., ensuring a full day of thrilling tennis.
For further information, visit fedecotenis.com
About Costa Rican Tennis Federation:
The Federación Costarricense de Tenis (FCT) is the official governing body for the sport of tennis in Costa Rica. It is responsible for promoting the game at all levels, from grassroots development programs for children to organizing national championships and supporting professional players. The Federation also sanctions and oversees international tournaments held within the country, such as the Copa del Café, ensuring they meet global standards.
For further information, visit costaricacountryclub.com
About Costa Rica Country Club:
Founded in 1940, the Costa Rica Country Club is a premier private social and sports club located in Escazú, San José. It is renowned for its high-quality facilities, which include a golf course, swimming pools, and extensive tennis courts. As the long-standing host of the Copa del Café, the club plays a pivotal role in the Costa Rican sporting community, providing a world-class venue for international events and fostering a tradition of athletic excellence.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a leading legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its deep-rooted principles of integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm leverages its extensive experience advising a wide spectrum of industries to pioneer innovative legal solutions. Central to its mission is a profound dedication to empowering the community by demystifying complex legal concepts, thereby fostering a society that is both well-informed and strengthened by its understanding of the law.
