On Thursday, the US Open wildcards for the singles draws were announced.
Venus Williams headlined the group for obvious reasons. After all, she is a five-time Wimbledon champion and four-time Olympic Gold Medal winner.
There are some lesser-known names included, such as former Orange Bowl winner Nishesh Basavareddy and American 2023 Wimbledon Girls’ Singles title winner Clervie Ngounoue.
One name in particular has attracted attention, given her status as one of the brightest young talents in tennis.
After all, this player is the number one ranked ITF junior.
Julieta Pareja receives a US Open wildcard
Young American star Julieta Pareja has been handed an opportunity to make her mark at the US Open.
The 16-year-old prodigy, the number one ranked female junior ITF player, is currently ranked 341 in the world.
Pareja first represented the US in 2024 at the Billie Jean King Cup, a few months after winning consecutive junior titles at the J100 Copa Ciudad and the J200 Copa Liga de Tenis de Bogotá.
The American also became the youngest winner of a SoCal Pro Series women’s singles title, when capturing her first professional title at the 2024 W15 SoCal Pro Series event in Rancho Santa Fe.
In 2025, after winning the J300 Lexus British Open in Roehampton, the young American reached the final of the Wimbledon girls’ singles and doubles junior events. Pareja also reached the quarter-finals of the same events at the 2024 French Open.
She became the first player born in 2009 to compete in a WTA main draw and win a match after qualifying for the Copa Colsanitas Open in Zurich, Switzerland. Pareja reached the semi-final stage of that tournament.
By achieving this feat, Pareja became the youngest WTA Tour semi-finalist since Coco Gauff in 2019.
Her impending US Open first-round match will mark her first appearance in a Grand Slam main draw.
Caroline Garcia is given a US Open wildcard
Former world number four Caroline Garcia has been handed the opportunity to say her final goodbyes to the US Open.
The French star registered her best Grand Slam performance at the US Open, reaching the semi-finals in 2022.
In May this year, Garcia announced her impending retirement from the sport.
On Instagram, she said: “Dear tennis, it’s time to say goodbye.
“After 15 years of competing at the highest level – and over 25 years of dedicating almost every second of my life to this sport – I feel ready to turn the page and open a new chapter.
“My journey hasn’t always been easy. Since my inception, tennis has always represented much more than victories or defeats. It was love or hate. Joy or frustration. And through it all, I am deeply grateful for everything this adventure has offered me. For everything tennis has given me. For the strong, passionate, determined woman he helped me become.
“But today, it’s time to move on. My body – and my personal aspirations – are asking me this.
“That said, it ain’t quite over yet. Still have a few tournaments to play. First one, at home, in Roland-Garros. My 14th consecutive participation – and last. So, to all my tennis family out there, let’s get together one last time, to dream together, and fight once more.
“Over the next few days, I’ll be taking some time to talk about what’s coming. But for now, I just want to fully enjoy these last few weeks as a professional player.
“Thank you all for your support.”
