6 US Women's Tennis Stars to Watch After the BNP Paribas Open

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Published on March 17, 2025 at 11:15 AM

Robert Prange and Clive Brunskill via Getty ImagesRobert Prange and Clive Brunskill via Getty Images

While pop culture had its eye on the cameo appearance of Oscar-nominated actor, Timothee Chalamet, and girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, taking in the action at this week's BNP Paribas Open, dubbed at the "Fifth Slam" — for tennis fans, all eyes were on the next generation of American talent making waves on the courts. From teen prodigies to college standouts, these rising women's tennis stars are putting the game of tennis on notice — proving that the future is bright for American tennis.

I'm excited about these athletes because they each are bringing new energy and aggressive play to the sport. The previous success of these players — whether it be on the junior circuit or the NCAA — has also given them an established following, visible during my time at the BNP tournament.

If you're looking for some newbies to root for, these players were making waves on the court this week. And since they've all grown up in the social media era, they're using their platforms to connect with fans too — making them even more relatable. Ahead, check out the crowd favorites (and my picks for stars to watch) from tennis paradise. These women all have a bright future ahead.

Iva Jovic - The Next Big Thing

At just 17 years old, Iva Jovic is already turning heads. Hailing from Torrance, California, she brings an exciting mix of youthful energy and raw talent, making her one of the most anticipated young players on the tour. "I love getting to see that I can play at this level," Jovic told journalists at the recent Next Gen Panel for rising players. Jovic made her grand slam debut at the US Open in 2024, becoming the youngest American woman to win a main draw since 2000. Jovic drew a large crowd at her BNP Paribas matches, a nod to her Southern California roots. "I think that my whole So Cal tennis community was here. They were definitely cheering for me, which was pretty special," she told the Next Gen Panel audience.

Alycia Parks - The Power Player

Alycia Parks has steadily climbed the ranks with her aggressive play and powerful serve. A native of Atlanta, Parks has competed and won at the 2024 Australian Open and recently won a doubles title alongside fellow American Taylor Townsend at the Cincinnati Open. Having competed at the University of Arizona, Parks is part of a growing group of players who bring collegiate tennis experience to the pro circuit. Parks had a wild card bid to win in her first round of play at BNP Paribas Open, and she's one to watch for the future.

Amanda Anisimova - The Comeback Star

Amanda Anisimova broke into the top 20 within the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), winning her biggest career title to date last month at the Qatar Open. Anisimova continues to refine her game, and with a powerful baseline presence and Grand Slam experience, she's got all the momentum to make a deep run this season. Two years ago, she took an extended break from tennis and took some college courses at Nova Southeastern University. But this Open, Anisimova is back and looks powerful on the court, where her two-handed backhand is still lethal.

Robin Lyons-Montgomery - The Wild Card

Robin Lyons-Montgomery won her first grand slam match at Wimbledon and reached the third round of the Madrid Open. Lyons-Montgomery, who hails from Washington, DC, grew up playing alongside American player Francis Tiafoe and has seen success on the junior circuit, including making some US Open History by winning both singles and doubles titles in 2021. Lyons-Montgomery is also leftie, a secret weapon that challenges her opponents and why I dubbed her the wildcard.

Hailey Baptiste - The Qualifier

Originally from Washington, DC, Hailey Baptiste has made her mark by grinding through the main draw rounds at grand slams and the BNP Paribas Open, making it through qualifiers to compete in the main draw at BNP. Baptiste is exciting to watch because she plays well close to the net and goes for those winning shots that make the crowd respond with a collective "ahhhh." In her game, she's shown she has all the promise and pieces to have a successful career this season.

Peyton Stearns - The Collegiate Star

Peyton Stearns, a former NCAA champion at the University of Texas in 2022, became the first player in the program's history to win an NCAA single title.

Since then, she has been on a steady climb and reached the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open in 2024. Currently, WTA ranked #44, Stearns is proof that college tennis can be a strong foundation for success on the pro tour, and she seems ready for every scenario, thanks to her booming forehand and powerful serve.

Ralinda Watts is an author, diversity expert, consultant, practitioner, speaker, and proven thought leader who works at the intersection of race, identity, culture, and justice. She has contributed to numerous publications such as PS, CBS Media, Medium, YahooLifestyle, and the Los Angeles Times.

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