We continue our series of stories about the winners of the 2026 Moldovan National Championships. This is the story of Moldova’s U14 Girls’ Champion, Andreea Nour.
There is one detail in Andreea Nour’s story that explains a great deal. When she was only five years old and had just begun discovering tennis, the world suddenly came to a halt. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, sports schools closed, tennis courts were left empty, and training sessions stopped. For most children, this meant a long break.
For Andreea, however, things turned out differently. Her father became her main coach for the next six months.
They looked for every possible opportunity to go outside with their rackets, found available spaces, and continued training together while official sessions remained impossible.
“That was when my father taught me never to give in to difficulties,” Andreea recalls.
First national championship, played at age 8
Perhaps it was during those months that the character she now considers her greatest strength as a player began to take shape.
Before tennis, Andreea practised acrobatics and dancing, but her love of playing with a ball proved stronger.
“I liked it immediately. The court was fun and fast-paced, and something new was always happening. I think that was when I realised tennis was my sport.”
Today, Andreea Nour is the U14 Girls’ Champion of the Republic of Moldova, and this victory has a special meaning for her.
At first glance, it may seem surprising that a player who was still eligible to compete in the U12 category voluntarily decided to face older opponents.
Smrikva Bowl tournament in Croatia, age 10
But that was exactly the decision made by her team.
“We could easily have played in the U12 category and competed for the title there. But we decided not to take the easy way and entered the U14 event instead.”
The risk paid off completely.
Andreea made it through the entire tournament and claimed the championship title.
However, there is a long story behind this victory.
She won her first Moldovan Championship in 2022, when she was only eight years old. At the time, boys and girls in the youngest age categories still competed together, and it was Andreea who reached the top step of the podium.
A year later, she became the national U10 champion, despite being younger than most of her opponents.
U12 development in Turkey, age 11
Then came two difficult seasons. In 2024 and 2025, Andreea reached the final of the Moldovan U12 Girls’ Championship twice, but on both occasions lost to older players.
For many athletes, defeats like these can lead to doubts about their own abilities. For her, they became additional motivation.
“This victory proved to me that you should never be afraid of difficulties.”
That sentence perhaps describes her sporting journey better than anything else.
Today, Andreea trains at the Specialised Tennis Sports School in Chișinău. She says that her team consists not only of her coach, but also of her entire family and the players with whom she shares the court every day.
“Without their support, none of this would have been possible.”
She considers her fighting spirit and determination to be her greatest strengths.
“I never give up, regardless of the score. Even when my opponent is older or physically stronger than me, I continue fighting for every ball until the very end.”
First TE U12 tournament won abroad
This quality has already helped her many times on the international stage. Despite her young age, Andreea has already taken part in some of Europe’s most prestigious children’s tournaments.
Among them is the legendary Smrikva Bowl in Croatia, which many describe as the unofficial world championship for players under the age of ten.
Later came Tennis Europe tournaments, victories in Romania and Moldova, and a place in the final of a prestigious competition for the strongest players from Eastern Europe, held in Turkey, where she also won the doubles title.
The famous Open Super 12 Auray in France also holds a special place in her career. Over the years, many future stars of world tennis have competed at the tournament.
But the most memorable experience of recent months came at the Circolo Tennis Porto San Giorgio tournament in Porto San Giorgio, Italy. The event has been held for more than forty years and is regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious tournaments for players under the age of twelve.
Future Grand Slam champions have competed there over the years, and the tournament is often described as the children’s equivalent of a world championship.
Andreea reached the final.
“It was an incredible experience. I am very happy that I was able to achieve such a strong result there.”
However, when asked whether it is more difficult to compete at home or abroad, her answer is unexpected.
“Playing at home is more difficult psychologically. Everyone knows you and expects you to win. Competing abroad is more physically demanding because of the flights and constant travel.”
TE Italia Porto San Giorgio
There is, however, another category of competition that stands apart: matches for the Moldovan national team.
Andreea began receiving national team call-ups when she was only ten years old. For several consecutive seasons, she represented Moldova in official Tennis Europe Summer Cups and Tennis Europe Winter Cups by Dunlop competitions, facing some of the strongest young players in Europe.
“When you play for the national team, everything feels completely different. You are no longer competing for your ranking, but for your country. The support of the team gives you incredible strength in those moments.”
These words reflect Andreea’s attitude towards sport particularly well.
She follows world tennis closely. She is inspired by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, as well as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
2026 Moldovan U14 Championship
She has developed her own tradition before important matches.
“Sometimes I watch highlights from their best matches. It helps me prepare mentally and gives me confidence.”
Despite her many victories, her greatest dreams still lie ahead.
In the near future, Andreea hopes to qualify for the prestigious Carlos Moyà 12 & Under Festival at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain. She also wants to establish herself among Europe’s leading U14 players, compete successfully at the legendary Les Petits As tournament in France and Kungens Kanna in Sweden, and then take the next step by playing in junior Grand Slam tournaments.
“I would really like to follow the path taken by Mirra Andreeva and Ksenia Efremova.”
Her favorite extreme sports are rollerblading, skating, skiing, and driving
When Andreea is asked what advice she would give to girls who are just beginning to play tennis, her answer is remarkably simple.
“Never be afraid of someone who appears older or stronger. The most important things are to love tennis, listen to your coach, believe in yourself and enjoy the game.”
Perhaps these words best explain why Andreea Nour is already regarded as one of Moldova’s most talented young tennis players. Her journey is not built around seeking easy victories, but around the willingness to take on new challenges again and again, becoming stronger with every match.
Quick Fire
Favourite surface? Clay
Favourite shot? Drive volley
Favourite victory? My first Moldovan Championship title, which I won at the age of eight in 2022
The most beautiful tournament you have played so far? The Smrikva Bowl in Croatia
Favourite Grand Slam tournament? Wimbledon
Favourite school subject? Geography
What do you do when you are not playing tennis? I spend time with my family and recover
Favourite food after a tournament? Sushi
Three words that describe you best? Goal-oriented, determined, positive
What do you dream about today? New major victories
