An outsider that's way too... outsider!

Kaja Juvan embodies a rare kind of resilience on tour. After losing her father Robert, a surgeon and central figure in her life, in December 2022, the Slovenian player went through a deep period of grief that eventually ended up paralyzing her body. This trauma triggered a functional neurological disorder in 2024, a disconnection between her brain and nervous system that kept her away from the courts for nearly a year. After studying psychology to understand her own mental blocks, she began a life-saving comeback in 2025 with her coach Nik Razboršek, climbing back from “anonymity” into the top 100 thanks to two WTA 125 titles and a new philosophy of kindness toward herself. At 25, she arrives in Austin with a maturity forged through pain, looking to prove that her intelligent, varied tennis can dominate again, without ever sacrificing her mental health. Kaja remains a clay-courter above all!

Claire had to come through qualifying here in Austin, where she put together two solid wins over Himeno Sakatsume (6-3, 5-7, 6-3) and Joanna Garland (6-3, 6-2), two serious hard-court contenders in 2026. Her start to the year is encouraging with a second-round showing at the Australian Open. She has an all-around game and loves fast surfaces. She’ll have the advantage of being match-tough and well accustomed to conditions here in Texas after 4 hours spent on court. 9 aces over two matches.