16-year-old Maaya Rameshwaram set to make Junior Grand Slam debut at the US Open 2025
Indian tennis is set to witness another milestone as 16-year-old Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi from Coimbatore has secured a place in the main draw of the 2025 US Open Junior Grand Slam, which begins on August 31 in New York. Currently ranked World No. 55 in the ITF junior girls’ rankings, Rajeshwaran’s name features in the official acceptance list, confirming her debut at the year’s final Grand Slam.
Rajeshwaran’s entry into the US Open main draw is a significant achievement, as competing in junior Grand Slams is regarded as a crucial stepping stone for young tennis professionals.
The experience of participating in these tournaments not only allows youngsters to compete at the highest level of junior competition but also provides them with the opportunity to train, compete, and learn from renowned tennis players.
The teenager has already participated in all three junior Grand Slam tournaments this year: the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon. While her journeys in Melbourne and Paris ended in the qualifiers, Wimbledon marked a significant turning point. Seeded No. 1 in the qualifying draw, she came just one match shy of reaching the main draw, narrowly losing in the final round. Although the loss was difficult to accept, it highlighted Maaya’s growing adaptability to compete on different surfaces.
Rajeshwaran had been making steady strides in the junior circuit, her results backed by training at the prestigious Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain, where she was the only Indian. Before Wimbledon, she captured a J200 clay-court title in Germany, boosting her ranking and confidence on the international stage.
Her ability to transition between hard, clay, and grass courts at just 16 demonstrates both versatility and resilience. These qualities have not only helped her climb into the Top 60 of the junior rankings but also put her in contention for direct entries into the biggest events of the year.
While Rajeshwaran’s debut is a headline moment, she will not be the only Indian in action in New York. On the boys’ side, Krish Tyagi, ranked No. 47, has also made the main draw, marking his third Junior Slam appearance this year after competing in Australia and Wimbledon. Additionally, Indian players Hitesh Chauhan, Arjun Rathi, Rethin Pranav Senthil Kumar, and Arnav Paparkar will feature in the qualifying rounds.
The growing presence of Indian players on an international stage is a testament to the development of tennis in the country.
For Rajeshwaran, the US Open debut is a result of months of preparation and lessons learned along the way from earlier setbacks. Her steady progression from early exits in Melbourne and Paris to near-qualification at Wimbledon has now translated into a breakthrough in New York.
With the US Open Junior Grand Slam debut confirmed, Indian fans will be eager to see how the Coimbatore-born teenager fares on one of tennis’s biggest stages. Regardless of which way the result goes, her qualification in the tournament at such a young age is a feat to cherish in itself.
Yash Desai is a renowned journalist with over 10+ years of experience covering sports around the world. He began his career as a News Reporter in Delhi, India, and got an opportunity to cover several World events, including the Olympics, Paralympics, and World Games. He often felt that women’s sports are sidelined and given step-motherly treatment by the mainstream media. To bridge this gap and to build an equal playing field, Yash co-founded FemaleInSports and is currently working as a Lead Editor here.
