(CNN) — At just 16, American tennis player Julieta Pareja is set to compete at her first senior grand slam tournament.

The teenager, who recently became the world No. 1 girls player , was handed a wild card for this year’s US Open main draw, in recognition of her breakthrough season which has seen her impress not only on the junior circuit, but also against senior professionals on tour.

But speaking to CNN Sports from her home near San Diego, just before traveling to New York, Pareja seemed remarkably relaxed for such a momentous occasion.

“I’m just super excited, just being able to actually play against really high ranked players that I’ve watched on TV,” she says.

“I love following tennis, I’m always following the professionals at the tournament so to be able to have the o

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