Inside the Magic of the Little Mo Internationals

On Finals Day at the Little Mo Internationals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida Tennis got a chance to catch up with Brenda Brinker Bottum, Vice President of The Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation, as the last few trophies were being distributed to smiling kids.

Looking back, the alumni list at Little Mo reads like an early predictor of greatness. “We get really excited when we see them in Wimbledon or in the US Open,” Brenda explained. Coco Gauff, a Florida superstar, remains one of the most visible champions to come through the event. “Coco has really talked about Little Mo being her starting point of where she really [started to] believe that she could win,” she shared. The same path once ran through champions like Andy Roddick, Sofia Kenin, Madison Keys and so many others who first competed at the tournament.

Above: A look at one of the Little Mo Slam winners today, Laila McGregor-Green from Texas, who captured the big trophy in the Girls 12s division. Photo credit: Florida Tennis.

Brenda said that what stands out just as much as the level of play is the culture around the event. “We always promote sportsmanship and we give out sportsmanship trophies,” she said. “We also [reward] kindness because it’s very important to us that they play hard on the court, but then off the court, they really get to know each other.” At a time when competitive pressure in junior tennis often runs high, the Little Mo environment feels intentionally grounded.

Looking ahead, Little Mo is expanding its global reach. Brenda outlined next year’s ambitious slate: “Next year in 2026, for the first time, we’re going to have an international tournament in San Diego, February 6th through the 11th.” Another stop is in the works as well: “We’re probably going to have the second one in Indianapolis,” she added. Meanwhile, the traditional December showdown in Palm Beach Gardens remains the crown jewel: “This will be our last one [during the year], which is always the first full week in December.”

In closing, Brenda summed up the philosophy guiding Little Mo. “We really encourage the kids… to have the love of the game,” she said. Judging from the intensity on-court and the friendships fostered off-court, that mission is thriving. 

An iconic tournament built on legacy, global connection, and character—Little Mo continues to set the standard for what junior tennis can be.

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Written by Florida Tennis Associate Editor Osvaldo Godoy. Video shot and edited by Osvaldo Godoy. Interview by Florida Tennis Editor Matt Pressman. Top Photo courtesy of The Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation.