Sixteen-year-old Kristina Penickova has capped off a remarkable 2025 season by being named the ITF junior girls’ world champion. Her achievements include two ITF junior singles titles and a pivotal role in helping the U.S. junior Billie Jean King Cup team secure its fourth consecutive trophy.
Rising to world No. 1
Penickova finished the year ranked junior girls’ world No. 1, a position she first claimed in October after reaching the final of the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Finals. She is the first American to hold this honor since Whitney Osuigwe in 2017.
Breakout season highlights
Her season began with a runner-up finish at the Australian Open girls’ singles final in January. She went on to win the J300 North American Regional Championships in San Diego in March and the J200 in Chuncheon, South Korea, in October. Penickova also reached the final at the J500 in Osaka, Japan, and won all six of her matches at the Billie Jean King Cup Junior Finals.
Doubles success
Penickova’s doubles achievements were equally impressive. She won the Australian Open doubles title alongside her twin sister Annika Penickova and later captured the Wimbledon doubles crown with Vandula Valdmannova of Czechia.
Transition to the pro circuit
At the professional level, Penickova reached the singles final at the ITF World Tennis Tour W15 in Monastir, Tunisia, in May. She also competed in US Open qualifying as a wild card, signaling her growing presence in the senior ranks.
American juniors in the spotlight
Penickova is joined in the year-end Top 10 by teammate Julieta Pareja, ranked world No. 5 after her Wimbledon girls’ singles final appearance. On the boys’ side, Jack Kennedy (No. 6) and Benjamin Willwerth (No. 7) lead the American contingent.
Wheelchair rankings
The U.S. also saw strong performances in junior wheelchair tennis. Lucy Heald (No. 3) and Sabina Czauz (No. 5) finished among the top-ranked girls, while Charlie Cooper and Maximus Wong both closed the year inside the Top 10 for boys.
Recognition of excellence
ITF President David Haggerty praised the achievements of junior players worldwide, noting their contribution to the sport’s future. “Kristina Penickova’s success this season highlights the strength and depth of junior tennis, and we look forward to seeing her continued progress,” said Haggerty.
