At only 19 years old, Raquel Pedraza is already making waves in the tennis circuit. The Spanish phenom has risen quickly after turning pro in 2020, showing potential to break into the top 30. Let’s take a closer look at Pedraza’s background and meteoric rise, which have placed her on the radar as one to watch.
Early Years and Junior Career
Born in 2003 in Madrid, Raquel Pedraza was surrounded by tennis from a young age. Both of her parents played recreationally and encouraged her natural athleticism. By age 5, she was hitting balls at local courts. Her talent was quickly apparent, and Pedraza began focusing intently on the sport from a young age.
Throughout her junior career, Pedraza dominated Spanish and international circuits. She held the #1 ITF junior ranking in singles in 2020 when she won 11 tournaments, including the prestigious Orange Bowl. That same year, Pedraza led Spain to the Junior Fed Cup title. Her collection of junior slam titles and top 3 junior ranking marked her as a rising star primed to transition to the WTA tour.
disrupted the 2020 season
At just 17, Pedraza turned pro after the pandemic disrupted the 2020 season. She started her career on the ITF Circuit to continue building experience against grown opponents. raquel pedraza dynamic playing style and resilience already translated to the pro level. Within a year, she raced up the rankings by over 500 spots to the high 100s due primarily to five ITF singles titles in 2021.
Pedraza’s breakout performance came at a WTA 125 event in Portugal, where she reached the semifinals as a qualifier. This opened the door to her first main draw grand slam appearance at the 2022 Australian Open, where she pushed former top 10 player Caroline Garcia to three sets in the first round. Her foot was now firmly in the door of the top tier of women’s tennis. raquel pedraza tireless work ethic allowed her to progress at lightning speed on the biggest stages against seasoned opponents years her senior.
Breaking Through in 2022
Pedraza has taken her tennis to new heights in 2022, her first full year on the WTA Tour at the age of 19. Seeded at numerous events, she has capitalized on opportunities to crack the top 100 for the first time. Standout performances include reaching the semifinals of the WTA 250 in Lausanne and the quarterfinals in Palermo.
Most impressively, Pedraza scored her first top-15 win over former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu in Madrid, marking her arrival among the elite. raquel pedraza pushed reigning Wimbledon champion Ashleigh Barty to three sets in the first round on red clay at the French Open. Her fearless mentality is catching the attention of both fans and fellow players.
The rising stars
With her powerful groundstrokes, athletic defense, and competitive spirit, raquel pedraza possesses all the tools to compete at the highest levels. She has already shown she belongs among the game’s rising stars. At only 19 and still physically developing, her ceiling seems limitless with the continued polishing of her all-court arsenal.
Pedraza’s calm demeanor and warm personality have made her a fan favorite off the court. She carries herself with maturity beyond her years. With a close-knit team led by her parents,raquel pedraza remains grounded while chasing her lofty tennis dreams. Her trajectory puts her on the path to breaking Spain’s long wait for a new women’s grand slam champion.
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