We continue our series of stories about the winners of the 2026 Moldovan National Championships. This is the story of Moldova’s U14 Boys’ Champion, Bogdan-Vasile Caraus.
The road to a championship title rarely begins with the first medal won. More often, it starts with an ordinary childhood activity, one that parents once decide to introduce to their child. That is exactly how it happened for Bogdan-Vasile Caraus.
His older sister was the first in the family to start playing tennis. When her coach decided to create a group for five-year-old children, Bogdan’s parents were invited to bring him along as well. They agreed. At that moment, no one was thinking about championship trophies or international tournaments. For a little boy, tennis was first of all an exciting game, a chance to spend time with other children, run around the court, and do unusual exercises for coordination and reaction.
The first real emotions came with Red Ball competitions. Every victory brought enormous joy and the desire to get back on court again. Then came Orange Ball tournaments, new successes, and the understanding that tennis was no longer just entertainment.
“That was when I understood that I wanted to take this sport seriously and keep improving,” Bogdan recalls.
Today, he is already the U14 Boys’ Champion of the Republic of Moldova and one of the leaders of his generation.
Behind every success like this stands a strong team. Bogdan himself says he would never have achieved these results without the support of his family and coaches.
“My family is always by my side and supports me at every stage. My coaches help me become stronger and develop as a player.”
Bogdan currently trains at the Specialized Tennis Sports School in Chișinău. Over the years, he has had the opportunity to work with different specialists, and he believes each of them has made an important contribution to his development. Today, his preparation is built as a complete process: technique, tactics, physical fitness, and psychology are developed together so that he can be ready for the toughest competitions.
The title of Moldovan champion is not a final destination for him, but confirmation that the path he has chosen is the right one.
“After the final point, I felt enormous happiness. At that moment I understood that all the hours of training, all the effort and sacrifices had been worth it. But this title is not the finish line for me. It is another important step.”
Despite his young age, Bogdan is already well acquainted with international tennis. He regularly competes in Tennis Europe tournaments, represented Moldova as part of the national team at the Winter Cup, and at the beginning of 2026 passed the national selection to take part in the prestigious Tennis Europe Development programme at Megasaray Tennis Academy in Turkey. Later, he was also invited to the Tennis Europe Academy in Prostějov, Czech Republic, where he spent a week training with some of the best young players in Europe under the guidance of leading specialists from across the continent.
For any European junior, an invitation to the Tennis Europe Academy is considered recognition of strong potential. The academy brings together coaches who have worked with Grand Slam champions and Davis Cup winners, while the players have the chance to see how future professionals are prepared.
For Bogdan, that trip became one of the most important experiences of the season.
“The most valuable thing was seeing how the best players of my age work, not only on court but also off it. It motivated me to become even more disciplined.”
One particular piece of advice from the coaches stayed with him.
“Always think about the process and the next point, not about the result of the match. Progress comes through discipline, patience, and the desire to learn every day.”
Today, he tries to follow that principle in every training session.
Bogdan does not consider the final of the Moldovan Championship to be the toughest match of his career. A far more difficult test was the final of the national selection at the beginning of 2026. Almost three and a half hours of battle, three sets, constant changes of momentum, and tension until the very last point.
“That match tested me both physically and mentally. I had to fight for every ball and stay focused until the end.”
It was that victory that opened the door to the Tennis Europe development programmes and gave him the chance to gain priceless international experience.
Bogdan’s schedule is almost entirely built around sport. In the morning there is tennis and physical training, followed by recovery, rest, and schoolwork. In the evening comes another training session, focused on technique, tactics, and match situations. During the school year, he has to plan his time especially carefully in order to combine education and sport successfully.
In world tennis, Bogdan names two current stars as his points of reference.
He admires Jannik Sinner for his calmness, discipline, and ability to stay composed in the most important moments of a match. In Aryna Sabalenka, he sees power, energy, and a fighting mentality.
“They are both examples of true professionalism for me. I try to learn from their attitude to work and to themselves.”
At the same time, Bogdan says his main goal for the coming years is not rankings.
“The most important thing for me is to keep developing my game. If you become stronger every day, the results will come.”
Of course, his sporting ambitions are serious as well. He dreams of entering the Top 50 of the Tennis Europe rankings, winning European tournaments, and one day becoming a Grand Slam champion. His favourite Grand Slam has already been chosen: the US Open.
When asked what advice he would give to an eight-year-old boy just starting tennis, his answer sounds remarkably mature.
“You need to enjoy the game and not rush things. Don’t compare yourself with others. Try every day to become a little better than you were yesterday. If you have love for tennis, discipline, and patience, the results will come.”
Perhaps these words reveal the character of the new Moldovan champion better than anything else. For Bogdan Caraus, victory is not a lucky accident and not just one successful week. It is daily work that begins long before the first ball is struck and does not end when the champion’s trophy is handed over.
Quick Fire
Favourite surface? Hard
Favourite shot? Volley
Most uncomfortable opponent: attacking or defensive? Attacking
Favourite Grand Slam tournament? US Open
Favourite place where you have had the chance to train or play? Megasaray Tennis Academy
What do you do when you are not playing tennis? I swim, spend time with friends and family
Favourite food after a victory? Pasta with chicken
Biggest dream as a tennis player? To win a Grand Slam tournament
