While not the absolute youngest player ever to compete—players like Kathy Horvath debuted as young as 14 years old—Pareja’s rise remains extraordinary given the level of competition today and the demanding path to professional tennis.
Pareja’s historic participation comes on the heels of a breakout season marked by her ranking to world No. 1 in girls’ tennis and a series of remarkable results on the junior circuit alongside impressive performances against seasoned professionals.
Born in Carlsbad, California, to Colombian-American parents, Pareja began playing tennis as a child, coached by her mother and inspired by her two older sisters, who also compete in the sport.
Her junior career took off with victories at major international events, including the J100 Copa Ciudad, J200 Copa Liga de Tenis de Bogotá, and J300 Copa Barranquilla. Pareja’s rise culminated at Wimbledon 2025, where she reached the finals in both singles and doubles—a feat that propelled her to the top of the ITF junior rankings.
Pareja’s success extended beyond junior tournaments this year. In March 2025, she became the youngest player since Coco Gauff in 2019 to reach a WTA Tour-level semifinal at the Copa Colsanitas in Colombia, besting established professionals and signaling her readiness for the highest levels of competition. She has accumulated 90 career wins and earned a wild card for the US Open main draw as recognition of her growing impact on the sport.
Calm and composed under pressure
Pareja’s demeanor has drawn praise from coaches and media alike. She approaches media engagements and big-stage matches with the calm, maturity, and poise of a veteran. “I’m just super excited, just being able to actually play against really high-ranked players that I’ve watched on TV,” she told CNN Sports.
Despite her recent successes and looming challenges, including a first-round match against slam champion and world No. 9 Elena Rybakina, Pareja remains focused on enjoying the experience and learning at every step.
Career highlights and achievements
- ITF Junior World No. 1 (August 2025): Achieved following her Wimbledon finals appearances in singles and doubles.
- WTA Tour Semifinalist: Reached Copa Colsanitas semifinal in March 2025, youngest since Coco Gauff in 2019.
- Junior Grand Slam Runner-Up: Finalist at Wimbledon 2025 in singles and doubles.
- Professional Title: Winner of the W15 SoCal Pro Series (Rancho Santa Fe), June 2024.
- Total Prize Money: Over $79,591 to date.
