Young Maltese athlete pursues tennis development in France

Kelian Lauwers, one of Malta's promising young tennis players, has completed a two-year high-performance tennis training programme in southern France, marking an important milestone in both his sporting and personal development.

The opportunity was made possible through the award of a scholarship under the Malta Sports Scholarships Scheme, financed by the Government of Malta, and thanks to the continued support of the Malta Tennis and Padel Federation and the Maltese Olympic Committee.

At the age of 14, Kelian relocated to France, leaving behind family, friends and the familiarity of everyday life at home in order to embrace the challenges of living and studying overseas while pursuing his sporting ambitions.

Over the course of the programme, he trained in a professional environment alongside players from various countries and benefited from a structured schedule combining technical coaching, tactical preparation, physical conditioning, mental preparation, and competitive match play. The experience required discipline, resilience and adaptability, while also helping him develop greater independence and confidence.

The programme provided extensive competitive opportunities at national and international levels. During this period, Kelian participated in the Tennis Europe Junior Tour, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour Juniors, and competitions sanctioned by the French Tennis Federation. Alongside his personal development, he regularly competed against strong opposition, gained valuable exposure to high-level tennis and further strengthened his competitive skills in an international environment.

While the sporting development was significant, Kelian believes the greatest lessons extended beyond the court.

Reflecting on the experience, Kelian said: “Leaving Malta at a young age to pursue my goals was a major step, and there were certainly challenges along the way. However, the experience has helped me grow both as a tennis player and as a person. I am deeply grateful for the support provided through the Malta Sports Scholarships Scheme, which made this opportunity possible. The last two years have been an important step in my development, and I remain determined to continue working hard, keep improving, and proudly represent Malta in future international competitions.”