In an exciting development for collegiate tennis, Pepperdine University is set to welcome two exceptional international recruits, Anastasiia Grechkina and Sebastianna Scilipoti, who will join the women’s tennis team in spring 2025. This addition not only bolsters the roster but also elevates the program's standing as one of the top mid-major classes in the nation. With six new players joining the existing team members, the Waves are poised for a competitive and promising season.
Enhancing the Roster with Global Talent
The sunny coastal city of Malibu will soon witness the arrival of two remarkable athletes from different corners of the globe. Anastasiia Grechkina, hailing from Moscow, Russia, brings with her an impressive record of achievements in both junior and professional circuits. She has been ranked among the top 75 junior players worldwide and boasts seven junior titles, including two singles and five doubles victories. Her career-best WTA rankings stand at 727 in singles and 418 in doubles. In 2021, she made it into the main draw of the prestigious Wimbledon Junior Championships after competing at Roland Garros earlier that year. Additionally, she secured two pro doubles titles at the W35 São Paulo and W15 Antalya tournaments.
Joining her from Geneva, Switzerland, Sebastianna Scilipoti is no less accomplished. A former top-15 junior player globally, Scilipoti holds a career-high WTA singles ranking of 508 and a doubles ranking of 624. She has claimed five pro titles, three in singles and two in doubles. Notably, she reached the semifinals of the US Open Juniors in 2021, defeating two seeded players as an unseeded competitor. Her junior career includes seven titles and reaching the third round of the Roland Garros junior championships. Scilipoti has also achieved success on the pro circuit, winning singles titles at the W15 Monastir and W15 Kursumlijska Banja tournaments.
Both athletes expressed enthusiasm about joining Pepperdine, citing its strong academic reputation, commitment to values, and the opportunity to grow both athletically and personally. The Waves will kick off their spring season at Duke on January 17, with their home opener against Arizona on January 24 during the ITA Kickoff Weekend.
From a journalist’s perspective, this recruitment signifies a significant milestone for Pepperdine’s women’s tennis program. It reflects the university's dedication to attracting global talent and fostering an environment where athletes can thrive academically and competitively. The influx of such high-caliber players promises to elevate the team's performance and bring renewed excitement to the sport. As these young talents integrate into the Pepperdine community, they will undoubtedly contribute to the legacy of excellence that the university strives to uphold.