Jin Woodman and Isla Gillespie are set to compete with Yassin Hill and Benjamin Wenzel in the US Open 2024 junior wheelchair tennis events.
New York, USA, 4 September 2024 | Rhys de Deugd
Four Australian rising stars are set to showcase their talents on the world stage in the US Open 2024 junior wheelchair tennis competitions.
Victorian Jin Woodman will compete at a Grand Slam for the first time at just 15 years old, as 18-year-old Isla Gillespie from New South Wales becomes the first Australian girl to play in a Grand Slam junior wheelchair tennis event.
For Gillespie, she is realising a goal she has been dreaming about for a long time.
“I’m so excited. It was a pretty long journey to get here with a lot of ups and downs,” the junior girls’ world No.10 said.
“I’ve been to the US before, but never New York, and that’s always been the dream. So, for New York to be the place of my first Grand Slam is really exciting.”
Gillespie earned her spot at the US Open after some great results this year, including winning back-to-back ITF titles in South Africa, which saw her rewarded with a ranking rise into the world’s top 10.
“Seeing their enthusiasm (in South Africa) for the sport I think really motivated me to keep going because it was such a fun and happy environment, which was really cool to be a part of and I’m super grateful for that experience,” she said.
“To have qualified I’m really proud – and to be the first one (Australian girl) is really cool as well.”
In the boys’ event, Woodman is joined by Queenslander Benjamin Wenzel, who competed at the US Open in 2023, and Yassin Hill from Victoria, who featured in this year’s Roland Garros junior wheelchair tennis championships.
This makes Australia is the highest-represented country in the US Open junior boys’ wheelchair event.
The 15-year-old Woodman is currently Australia’s highest-ranked junior wheelchair tennis player at world No.4, and he is thrilled to travel to the USA for the first time and showcase his talent on the world stage.
“It’s my first time going to a Grand Slam. So when I found out, I was jumping up and down and instantly told everyone at my school,” Woodman said.
“It will just be such an amazing experience, and I think junior Grand Slams are cool because it gives you a taste of what your future could be like.”
Woodman has won four ITF titles this year and also received a silver medal as part of the…
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