As the US Open Junior Championships 2025 kicks off on August 31 at Flushing Meadows, a talented cohort of Indian junior tennis players is set to make their mark on the global stage. With no Indian representation in the senior singles this year, the spotlight shines brightly on these young athletes, who are poised to showcase the rising strength of Indian tennis. Leading the charge are Maaya Rajeshwaran and Kriish Tyagi in the main draws, joined by Hitesh Chauhan, Arjun Rathi, Rethin Pranav Senthil Kumar, and Arnav Paparkar in the boys’ qualifying rounds, all of whom bring impressive credentials and a hunger for success.
Maaya Rajeshwaran
At just 16, Maaya Rajeshwaran is set to make her junior Grand Slam main draw debut, currently ranked No. 55 in the ITF Junior girls’ singles with 1027.5 points. She gained prominence with a sensational semifinal run as an unranked wildcard at the Mumbai Open WTA 125 and clinched her maiden ITF J200 singles title in Gladbeck, Germany, defeating Switzerland’s Noelia Manta 6-2, 6-4. Her aggressive playstyle and mental composure make her a standout prospect for Indian tennis.
Kriish Tyagi
Kriish Tyagi, an 18-year-old from Bengaluru, is India’s highest-ranked junior at No. 49 in the ITF Junior rankings and the only Indian with direct entry into the boys’ singles main draw. He reached the quarterfinals in the boys’ doubles at Wimbledon 2025 with South African partner Connor Doig and won the Uzbekistan J200 title, achieving a career-high ranking of No. 58. Tyagi’s focus on physical dominance and mental resilience positions him for a potential deep run at the US Open.
Hitesh Chauhan
Hitesh Chauhan, ranked No. 72 in the ITF Junior boys’ rankings, will compete in the boys’ singles qualifying rounds. A trainee of RoundGlass Academy, he won the Fenesta National sub-junior under-16 title in 2022, defeating Arjun Rathi in a thrilling 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 match. His strong, all-round attacking game makes him a formidable contender in the qualifiers.
Arjun Rathi
Arjun Rathi, holding a world No. 88 ITF Junior ranking, is another promising talent in the boys’ qualifying rounds. He reached the final of the 2022 Fenesta National sub-junior under-16 championship, showcasing his gutsy play despite falling to Hitesh Chauhan. Rathi’s competitive spirit and tactical acumen will be key as he aims to advance to the main draw.
Rethin Pranav Senthil Kumar
Rethin Pranav Senthil Kumar, ranked No. 77 in the ITF Junior boys’ rankings, has a notable resume, including the 2023 Under-18 National Clay Court Championship and the J100 ITF Junior title in Canberra, Australia, in 2024, where he defeated Cruz Hewitt in the semifinals. The 17-year-old from Tamil Nadu also won the Fenesta National Open Championship men’s singles title in 2024 as a qualifier. His consistent performances signal a bright future as he competes in the US Open qualifiers.
Arnav Paparkar
Arnav Paparkar, ranked No. 71 in the ITF Junior boys’ rankings, brings strong recent form to the boys’ qualifying rounds. Selected alongside Maaya Rajeshwaran for the Australian Open under-14 event in 2023, he has since progressed steadily, reaching the quarterfinals of the ITF J300 event in Delhi in 2025. His experience on international stages makes him a player to watch in the qualifiers.
