Players and coaches have been reflecting on WTT Youth Contender Szombathely, with plenty of successes and opportunities to improve.

A total of 16 youngsters competed in Hungary, from Under-11 to Under-19 age groups. For some, it was a first taste of international competition at this level, while others brought plenty of prior experience to the party.

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Max Radiven brought home a bronze medal, in the Under-19 Mixed Doubles, while the undoubted star of the singles show was Pablo Ramirez Rioja, who won silver in the Under-15 Boys’ Singles.

His run included several matches won in a deciding game, including a semi-final victory over GB pathway colleague Peadar Sheridan of Ireland – which Pablo admitted was a tough match.

“Under 15s has been stressful,” he said. “I won three matches 3-2, so I’m happy I’m able to maintain my level.

“The semi-final against Peadar was really difficult. He’s always hard to play – very relaxed, very quick over the table. So I had to think, find a strategy, but mostly just impose my game and stay calm. So I’m happy I was able to do that and excited to go into my first WTT final in under-15.”

Unfortunately, it was not to be a gold as Pablo went down 3-0 (11-9, 11-5, 11-9) to Jayden Cai of the United States.

Max clinched bronze in the Under-19 Mixed alongside Lana Benko of Croatia and he beat the top seed in the Under-19 Boys’s Singles – but did not advance past the last 16 in either of his age groups.

“There were so many English players and everyone got on really well and team spirit was really high,” said Max. “Me personally, it wasn’t the most amazing tournament. Mixed Doubles was good, I got a medal, but singles I can do better.

“But overall a really good tournament. It was amazing to beat the number one seed, obviously this is what we train for and I’m really happy to get over the line in that match, but I think my level can be better.”

Ella Pashley was pleased to beat a higher-ranked player in the Under-19 Girls’ Singles, before going out to the seventh seed Judit Nagy of Hungary 3-0 (11-9, 11-9, 15-13).

She said: “My tournament went really well, I reached the round of 16 and I lost a close 3-0, so it was tough, but I learned many things from the match and it was really good experience.

“I love playing WTTs because you’re up against all the best players in the world in the under-19 category and it’s all good learning.”

Other members of the squad are nearer the beginning of their international careers, with learning from the experience just as important as picking up wins.

Soraya Rahmani-Walentynska, who played in the Under-15s and Under-17s, said: “I like playing WTT events because I have lots of opportunities to get good results, and I can play lots of other people from different countries. I think it’s a good experience too and I can develop more during the matches.”

Coach Ben Barlow said the staff were keen to balance that learning experience with the reality that sport is defined by wins and losses.

He said: “We’ve got players from Under-11 right through to Under-19, so obviously a very mixed range of players all at different stages in their career, so this tournament is great for us.

“For some players it’s a learning experience. We want them to experience WTT competition, but also we’re expecting them to win matches, we’re not coming out here just to play.

“Some of the players are on a different part in their journey, looking to go deep into the competition. I think we’ve had four players in the quarter-finals or better . . . two or three players maybe could go a little bit further but obviously this time it didn’t work.

“Pablo in the 15 boys’ singles was a tough final, tough to take, but I think he’ll learn from it and go again, which is what we’re here for.

“On reflection, it’s been a good tournament for everyone – a learning curve for some of the players, but then some of the players exceeded expectations and went further than their seeded place.

“So we’ll go away and review that. We’ll take responsibility with the players and we’ll look to go again for the next one, in the new year.”