The Australian Open girls’ singles championship has produced future WTA stars, Grand Slam finalists, and in some cases players whose peak came early.
Australian Open girls junior champions pro careers aren’t always as successful as their junior days, but some junior champs have found huge success while others are still trying to jumpstart their WTA Tour careers.
Here’s a complete look at the last 15 winners of the Australian Open girls’ tournament — including champions, runners-up, scores, and where their careers have gone.
Australian Open Girls Junior Champions and Runners-Up (2014–2025)
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | Score | Current Pro Status / Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Wakana Sonobe (JPN) | Kristina Penickova (USA) | 6-0, 6-1 | Early ITF-level success; beginning pro transition |
| 2024 | Renata Jamrichova (SVK) | Emerson Jones (AUS) | 6-4, 6-1 | Active on ITF W15/W25 circuit; strong early results |
| 2023 | Alina Korneeva | Mirra Andreeva | 6-7(2), 6-4, 7-5 | Korneeva: seven ITF titles; Top 150 WTA. Andreeva: WTA 1000 champion; rising Top 10 star. |
| 2022 | Petra Marcinko (CRO) | Sofia Costoulas (BEL) | 7-5, 6-1 | Marcinko inside Top 200; strong WTA 125 / ITF presence |
| 2021 | Not held | — | — | — |
| 2020 | Victoria Jiménez Kasintseva (AND) | Weronika Baszak (POL) | 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 | Broke into Top 100; steady WTA trajectory |
| 2019 | Clara Tauson (DEN) | Leylah Annie Fernandez (CAN) | 6-4, 6-3 | Tauson: 15 career titles, Top 25. Fernandez: 2021 US Open finalist, Top 15. |
| 2018 | En-Shuo Liang (TPE) | Clara Burel (FRA) | 6-3, 6-4 | Liang mainly on ITF circuit • Burel Top 100 with WTA main-draw wins |
| 2017 | Marta Kostyuk (UKR) | Rebeka Masarova (SUI) | 7-5, 1-6, 6-4 | Kostyuk Top 40; strong Slam performances |
| 2016 | Vera Lapko | Tereza Mihalikova (SVK) | 6-3, 6-4 | Lapko reached Top 100; injuries slowed progress |
| 2015 | Tereza Mihalikova (SVK) | Katie Swan (GBR) | 6-1, 6-4 | Mihalikova active mainly in doubles; Swan Top 150 singles |
| 2014 | Elizaveta Kulichkova | Jana Fett (CRO) | 6-2, 6-1 | Kulichkova reached Top 100 before retiring • Fett Top 120 peak |
Who Made the Best Transition to the Pros?
Some Australian Open girls junior champions pro careers stand above the rest when you compare junior success with professional achievement. Below are the biggest pro standouts from the list above — the players who turned junior promise into real WTA impact.
Leylah Fernandez (2019 runner-up)
Big moment: Reached the 2021 US Open final, defeating multiple Top-5 players in a run that captured global attention.
Why it matters: Fernandez proves you don’t need to be an Australian Open girls junior champion to have an outstanding pro career.
Mirra Andreeva (2023 runner-up)
Big moment: Multiple WTA 1000 champion in 2025.
Why it matters: She overcame her disappointment to arguable have the best career thus far of all 30 girls on our list.
Clara Tauson (2019 champion)
Big moment: Multiple WTA titles and a Top-25 peak.
Why it matters: Tauson’s consistent ball-striking and extreme confidence show how junior success can translate into positive tour-level results.
Marta Kostyuk (2017 champion)
Big moment: Regular Grand Slam main-draw wins and Top-40 ranking.
Why it matters: Kostyuk hasn’t won on the big stage yet, but she has won four pro tournaments and reached the Round of 16 at the 2025 US Open.
Key Takeaways: Why Junior Champions Succeed (or Don’t) on the WTA Tour
- Junior titles are indicators, not guarantees. They reveal talent and competitiveness but say little about long-term pro durability.
- Physical development matters. Players who add strength and endurance can handle Tour pace and (often) longer matches.
- Second serve and clutch-point toughness separate the best. Many juniors have the strokes — fewer have the pressure-handling and serve reliability required on tour.
- ITF consistency is the best signal. Look for players stringing together results at ITF and WTA 125 levels rather than single headline junior wins.
- Runner-ups can leapfrog champions. Fernandez’s run proved a junior runner-up can become a Grand Slam contender and can overcome disappointment through mental toughness on the big stage.
Avoiding the Hype Machine
When covering juniors, temper excitement with context. Use these quick checks before predicting pro stardom:
- Is the player winning consistently on ITF/WTA 125 events?
- Has the player shown improvement in serve and physicality over 12 months?
- Are there signs of mental resilience in tight matches and tiebreaks?
- Is the coaching/team situation stable and geared toward long-term development?
