The 2025 ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Finals will take place October 22–26 in Chengdu, China, bringing together the top eight boys and top eight girls in the world.
Three American players have qualified for the prestigious year-end finals, including two with strong Florida ties; Ben Willwerth of Jupiter and Kristina Penickova, who currently resides in Orlando will take the courts in just a few weeks.
Ben Willwerth enters the event ranked No. 6 in the world. He was the 2022 Bobby Curtis Boys’ 16s Champion and has had a standout season in 2025. Willwerth reached the boys’ singles final at the Australian Open and the boys’ doubles final at Roland Garros. He also finished runner-up in the US Open Boys’ Doubles with Noah Johnston.
Kristina Penickova has reached a career-high junior ranking of No. 3. She won the Australian Open Girls’ Doubles with her twin sister Annika Penickova and reached the singles final at the same event. Kristina also won the Girls’ Doubles Championship at Wimbledon with partner Vendula Valdmannová.
Players who finish strong can qualify for the ITF Junior Accelerator Programme, which helps them move into higher-level pro events. The Finals also offer the champions 1,000 ranking points, which is equalivant to a junior Grand Slam. There is also a record $220,000 in travel grants is on the line, with up to $23,000 awarded to each champion. These funds help players cover costs as they begin their professional careers.
Florida tennis fans will be watching closely as Willwerth and Penickova aim to close out the season with a statement on the world stage.
To learn more about the 2025 ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Finals, read USTA’s article about the event and learn about Jack Kennedy, the third American junior set to compete.